The Office of the ADNU Graduate School conducted a Graduates’ Fellowship on June 25, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Leonardo’s Lounge, 2nd floor of Coko Cafè, Ateneo de Naga University.
Among the forty-five (45) graduates, there were a total of twenty (20) participants who attended the activity. This is held to serve as an avenue for feedback and acquaintance of the graduates of Batch 2024 to the office and the University.
The event began with an Opening Prayer led by Ms. Christaine Mae Bael, Administrative Assistant, and it was later facilitated by Dr. Malu Barcillano, Dean of the Graduate School. The main part of the event was initiated with “Kamustahan” as the graduates already completed their respective graduate programs. Then, four (4) conversational questions were raised to summarize their experiences from their graduate school journey.
Answering the first question (What can you say about the program that you have completed, in terms of the following areas: Instruction, Research, Social Involvement, and Formation?), some graduates answered that even if the instruction was in an online modality, it was strategic as their knowledge and skills were enhanced by their professors. They were guided also in the field of research to give their best effort and do better in writing. The social involvement was observed in the Practicum subject and there is an integration in the Ignatian formation through the Jesuit Education subjects and its retreat activities.
With the second question (How do you feel after completing your degree from the AdNU-GS?), some of the graduates were happy when the onsite modality was returned which made them determined to complete their graduate program. Also, they said that they are glad that the Graduate School Dean’s Office helped them develop professionally and personally. There is a graduate who mentioned, too, that the journey was challenging due to a longer stay, yet there are considerations from the Dean with the assistance of Ms. Taine for being committed to answering their various queries. Therefore, they were fulfilled and satisfied at the end.
For the third question (What significant lesson(s) and/or insights can you share in line with your stay in the AdNU-GS?), most of the students said that they learned amidst the trials and that the best lesson is to keep going. One of them mentioned that they stayed up late thinking of their thesis status and working on it as their adviser had been alerting them as a reminder if they wished to graduate. Another also indicated that the experience was tough yet Ateneo is the best experience.
Lastly, regarding the fourth question (What course of action is possibly considered to continuously appropriate the 4 Cs: Competence, Conscience, Compassionate Commitment to Change, and Christ-centeredness?), some of the Master’s graduates said that they plan to proceed with enrolling in the Doctorate programs. Another mentioned that they are driven with faith, not only on paper but also to continue to provide solutions to the challenges. With this, they said that they will continue to serve well and observe humanity, social justice, and welfare. They are anchored for humility, knowledge, and conscience paralleled by Christ-centeredness.
The fellowship was concluded with a word of thanks from the office and the graduates as well. The office gave a token to the graduates that will allow them to be reminded of Ateneo de Naga University.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
By: Ms. Christaine Mae Bael
Administrative Assistant, Graduate School
