The Graduate School of the Ateneo de Naga University, together with the Guidance Office, welcomed new and continuing graduate students as they embarked on a new chapter in their academic journey through the Orientation Seminar and Student Assembly on August 22, 2026, at the ADNU Gymnasium with the theme “Ignite Your Potential.” The event aimed to equip students with the essential information needed to navigate Graduate School life at ADNU, while also providing opportunities to meet and connect with classmates, professors, and university officials.
The event commenced with an invocation led by Ms. Maria Ardelya A. de los Santos, Guidance Counselor of the Graduate School. Then, Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ, University President, delivered a heartwarming virtual message. It was followed by a welcome message from Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, Dean of the Graduate School. Subsequently, the Program Directors led the orientation on the academic guidelines and policies. Opening the series of orientations, Dr. Ronaldo SP. Elicay discussed the attendance policy, grading system, completion of INC grade, and the interim guidelines for flexible learning. He also delineated the guidelines and processes for the thesis and dissertation defense, as well as for leave of absence and residency. He stressed the importance of following the prescribed process in the thesis and dissertation defense to ensure that all proceedings run smoothly and remain within the established institutional guidelines. Meanwhile, Dr. Elizaldy Z. Raro explained the procedures for the Written Comprehensive Examination (WCE) and the expected outputs from the students. He highlighted the requirements for exemption from WCE, should students opt to apply. Dr. Emma Intia then introduced the core of being an Atenean: to be men and women for others, by discussing the guidelines for the Service-Learning Activity (SLA), which bridges classroom theories to social causes and community engagement. Lastly, Dr. Peñafrancia Olayon-Reyta provided a comprehensive discussion of the Graduate School Standards Committee system, which ensures that all academic requirements are met in accordance with the university’s established standards. Thereafter, an open forum was conducted, allowing the students to ask questions and seek clarification.
Upon the conclusion of the plenary session, the students were grouped into their academic clusters for program-specific orientations, facilitated by the respective Program Directors. The cluster orientations provided students a closer look at the program, their classmates, and professors. It also allowed them to elect their program representatives, who would serve as their voice to communicate their concerns, needs, and suggestions to the Graduate School.
At the end of the event, students carried with them not only a clearer grasp of Graduate Spolicies and expectations but also a renewed sense of purpose, community, and belonging. By fostering academic preparedness and meaningful connections, the OrSem and Student Assembly served as a launchpad to a productive academic journey. Hence, with their potential ignited, ADNU graduate students are ready to transform their aspirations into reality and meaningful service as men and women for others.
In the afternoon, the Office of the Graduate School also conducted a Faculty Assembly from 3:00PM to 5:30PM via Google Meet. The event started with an opening prayer, then a video message from the University President, Fr. Aristotle C. Dy, SJ, updating the faculty on the highlights and monitoring of the AdNU 2030 Roadmap. This was followed by a message from the Vice-President for Higher Education, Dr. Digna P. Alba. The Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, introduced the new invited lecturers for this semester and also provided an update by presenting the accomplishment report for the 1st and 2nd semester of School Year 2025-2026. Dr. Lynette Mendoza, Program Director of the Graduate School and also the Director of the Institutional Testing Office, provided inputs on the Profile of Graduate School Examinees for this semester. This was followed by the presentation of the Online Evaluation Results for Faculty, where Dr. Ronaldo Elicay shared the feedback of the students and what the faculty should continue, stop, and start doing to improve teaching strategies and classroom dynamics.
In preparation for the PAASCU Accreditation, Dr. Elicay also presented the PAASCU Self-Survey Results, where he discussed the different areas that the faculty should be aware of. In relation to this, Dr. Rebecca C. Torres and Dr. Alfredo C. Fabay, Special Projects Officers, shared their expertise by sharing information for faculty preparation and best practices, as well as a coaching session for the PAASCU Evaluation, respectively.
The faculty were given time to raise their concerns through the open forum.
Prepared by:
Renie B. Lotino
PhD LLD Student
Mary France E. Sernande
GS Office Staff
