The Ateneo de Naga University Graduate School conducted its Graduates’ Fellowship on May 26, 2026 (Tuesday), 5:00 PM at the Arrupe Convention Hall, ADNU Main Campus.

Among the seventy-nine (79) graduates, there were thirty-four (34) participants who attended the said event. This is held annually to serve as an avenue for feedback and a chance to meet one another among the graduates, such as the GS Graduating Class 2026, with the office and the University.

The activity began with an Opening Prayer led by Ms. Christaine Mae Bael, the Administrative Assistant. Dr. Malu Barcillano, the Graduate School Dean, facilitated the rest of the activity with the four (4) plenary questions for the graduating student-participants to look back and reflect on their graduate school journey in ADNU.

The conversation started with 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?”). They said that the instruction was excellent and rigorous due to the coursework. One doctorate graduate shared that it was orthodox that the university has a different approach than the state universities, and that his graduate degree first explained what should be happening in the classroom. One of the MAED graduates said that he had five (5) years of rigorous experience and survived; he continued enrolling in PhD LLD afterwards due to the quality education ADNU brings. Two (2) MA Psy CP graduates also shared that the instruction was disrupted by the pandemic, yet they had skillful reading with the board subjects in preparing them for the review and towards the application and practicality. Also, their research experience was rigorous and intense on reference citing, on plagiarism concerns to ensure integrity in writing, which taught them to utilize technology. Inspired by the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) to publish, one of the graduates expressed that it helped them broaden their horizon in research; one PhD LLD graduate experienced research as challenging, with the final paper to pass the subject, but it trained him faster to become a researcher who turned his research paper from coursework to becoming Scopus-indexed.

Moreover, the participants also shared many social involvements and formation that they experienced, such as the Ignatian Philosophy subject that has values formation, the Service Learning Programs (SLP) of their coursework integrating theories in community, and the mental health talks and programs. PhD LLD graduate said that not only being an educator but also a researcher embraced him in the Atenean way. They said that this includes the good research journey for doing it to help ethically and professionally, and that throughout the experience was the formation that honed excellence.

With the second question, (“How do you feel after completing your degree from the AdNU-GS?”), an MBA graduate expressed that she enjoyed it and was thankful to Ateneo for the fulfillment experienced. She also said that she used opportunities afterwards, such as the practical instruction she learned and also adapting it to their school and also thinking to enroll in a DBA for wanting to learn rigorous research. One of the Master’s graduates said that she was feeling blessed and thankful as she was in the program for a decade through ups and downs, surpassing every year due to many personal and work journeys and regrets. Another doctorate graduate also said that she had gratefulness and patience after the many struggles and challenges were out of the way.

As for the third question (“What significant lesson(s) and/or insights can you share in line with your stay in the AdNU-GS?”), one GS graduate said that he recalled his reason and asked himself if it was really for him amidst the challenges, such as being tired from taking the comprehensive examinations and schedules not being well or enough. With his unforgettable memories, he expressed that he reminded himself that he should finish this, and that strengthened his core and pushed his limits to finish the degree in the ADNU Graduate School. Another GS graduate also said he learned the power of peer collaboration by asking each other and explaining to each other. He added that he observed the value of grit and academic rigor in submitting the capstone project after thinking he was already on ease for passing the comprehensive exams. One graduate also shared the beauty of culture in teachings to uplift the community and also expressed that he might pursue a PhD later on.

For the last question, (“What course of action is possibly considered to continuously appropriate the 4 Cs: Competence, Conscience, Compassionate Commitment to Change, and Christ-centeredness?”), a PhD student said that he experienced having seven (7) readings for one (1) week only that is already too much for one (1) course work and cannot reach the aim on the other course work. Another graduate suggested having a support system, especially during thesis, so that it is not a competition, as it is not a healthy environment with classmates. A graduate also expressed that he is not grade-conscious but eager to complete so if the office may take a look into the grading system, as a difficult component drags others, he suggested having some revisions such as the transmutation table. Another graduate shared that having online quizzes is risky with brownouts. Lastly, a DBA graduate said to use the degree well, such as being Christ-centered in their designations to uplift faculty and personnel and give real impact in community extensions.

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 remind them of their alma mater.

Prepared by:

Christaine Mae Bael
Administrative Assistant