Ateneo de Naga University, through the Office of Student Affairs, completed three projects in collaboration with Bunkyo University during the School Year 2023-2024.

Bunkyo University, a higher education institution in Japan, has been engaged in projects with ADNU since 2020 through a Memorandum of Understanding.

The most recent endeavor, known as Project BASE (Bunkyo-Ateneo Student Exchange), involved Bunkyo – Adachi Campus’s International Studies students and ADNU student leaders. Over the course of five meetings held on May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2024, participants presented and discussed a range of current issues, initiatives that address them, personal experiences and insights. The topics covered diverse areas such as health and nutrition, gender equality, education, employment, and migration, among others.

Under the guidance of their teacher, Dr. Akiko Watanabe, the students are anticipating a visit to Naga City in August of this year.

Another ongoing project with Bunkyo’s Koshigaya Campus, referred to as Project B, continued virtually from August 2023 to January 2024. Japanese students and ADNU student leaders engaged in nearly weekly meetings, participating in icebreakers and culminating in virtual presentations about each country’s traditions, including aspects such as food and music, as well as tourism and educational system. Dr. Alec Lemay and two students from Bunkyo University served as resource speakers and workshop facilitators during the first semester’s Alternative Class Program. The project concluded with a sharing of the students’ traditional Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Moreover, two speakers from Project B were selected to present during the English Camp, which was attended by first-year Bunkyo University students. They provided valuable cultural information about the Philippines, and answered questions from the Japanese students.

Rodolfo SB. Virtus Jr., the Director of OSA, convened the ADNU student volunteers and effectively supervised the implementation of these projects.