Ateneo welcomes 13th Batch of Asian Peacebuilders Scholars
Twenty-nine scholars have begun their journey as part of the 13 th cohort of the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS). They recently completed an orientation seminar as new students of the Ateneo de Manila University.
A shared initiative of the the Nippon Foundation, the University for Peace (UPeace), and Ateneo de Manila, APS trains Asian professionals to become peacebuilding practitioners who can take on leadership positions in organisations across the globe. The programme also serves to strengthen Asian representation with expertise on Asian relations and issues.
APS is a dual-degree, dual-campus programme where scholars obtain a Master of Arts Degree from the University for Peace in Costa Rica in an area related to peacebuilding, and a Master of Arts in Political Science, Major in Global Politics from the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila. It is an intensive academic programme that must be completed in a period of eighteen (18) months.
The programme has three (3) phases:
(1) English Language Training at the Ateneo Language Learning Center (ALLC) and Core Courses in Ateneo
(2) Coursework at UPeace
(3) Project Implementation and MA Specialization in Ateneo
The academic programme for the 13 th cohort will officially commence in June 2019.
Ateneo’s involvement in the programme has evolved over the last 12 years. From an initial dual-campus model where Ateneo delivered English classes and elective courses Political Science in 2007, the programme has since recognised the significant contribution of learning in a developing country and the Philippines’ experience in peace-building. The delivery of the dual-degree programme started in 2013.
As aforementioned, one of the features of the programme is an intensive, specialised English language training. This is intended to facilitate the participation of professionals with lower levels of English proficiency. The capacity building component allows the students to study in both the Philippines and in Costa Rica. The scholars of the 13 th batch have started their language training at ALLC.
Since its founding, the program has produced over 300 peacebuilders and professionals. The APS graduates are scattered across nations and hold key positions in international organizations like the United Nations (UN), World Food Programme (WFP), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Some of them work for the government of their home countries and others
pursue academic careers.
pursue academic careers.
True to its emphasis on collaboration and engagement, the co-operating institutions are always findings ways to keep abreast with the latest happenings and address the needs of the times. In March, Dr. Juan Carlos Sainz-Borgo, Dean of the University for Peace, and Ms. Maya Mizuno, Programme Coordinator of the APS Programme in UPeace visited Ateneo de Manila to open conversations with faculty members of the Loyola Schools.
Ateneo de Manila University looks forward to its continued partnership with the University for Peace and the expansion of its network of peacebuilders.
Members of the APS 13 at the Rizal Library after receiving an
orientation seminar on campus life at the Loyola Schools in February 2019.
orientation seminar on campus life at the Loyola Schools in February 2019.
Dr. Juan Carlos Sainz-Borgo, Dean of University for Peace, and Ms.
Maya Mizuno, Programme Coordinator of the APS in UPeace with faculty
members of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Maya Mizuno, Programme Coordinator of the APS in UPeace with faculty
members of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Dr. Afarin Shahidzadeh, an International Human Rights Lawyer of
the United Nations, delivered a special lecture for the APS 13 last April 4, 2019.
the United Nations, delivered a special lecture for the APS 13 last April 4, 2019.