Ateneo Partners with Queen Mary University of London to Offer New Programs

Ateneo de Manila University has partnered with the United Kingdom’s Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) to develop transnational education programs (TNE) in niche areas crucial to national and regional development.
 
In the planned dual degree graduate programs in Big Data and Creative Media Technology, a student spends time in both universities and in the end graduates with two separate degrees from each institution.  
 
At the November 20, 2017 launch at the Areté, Ateneo de Manila University President Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ spoke of the key elements needed in a digital economy.
 
“A digital economy will run on many engines with creativity and innovation as the most important. For me, a digital economy is one that is data-intense, algorithm-driven, fast, hyper-connected and personalized. No doubt hardware makes these possible but software—more than hardware—will drive such an economy in the 21^stcentury.”

Ateneo, he said, has found the right partner in QMUL: “Not only are we both committed to academic research excellence but the two institutions share a strong ethos in service and social inclusion directed toward the margin and edges of society.”
 
This was echoed by Professor Colin Bailey, QMUL President and Principal.

“We can do so much when we work in partnerships. That is why relationships like this one are important,” he said.

Professor Colin Bailey, QMUL President and Principal, expresses high hopes for the partnership

The partnership between the institutions is to a large part a result of the Joint Development of Niche Programs, an initiative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the British Council.  Seed-funding and capacity-building were provided to ten Philippine universities to partner with UK institutions in the development and delivery of TNE.
 
“Together with Philippine and UK higher education institutions, we aim to create TNE programs that meet global standards at a lower cost,” said Dr. Fay Lea Lauraya, Team Leader, Institutional Development and Innovation Grant for CHED.

The partnership between the 2 institutions contributes significantly to the Philippine education sector, says CHED’s Dr. Fay Lea Lauraya.

Dr. Nick Bryan-Kinns and Mr. Francis del Val gave the audience a glimpse of how innovation and big data can drive the 21^st century.
 
Bryan-Kinns, Director of Media and Arts Technology at QMUL, spoke of how innovation and digital media fuel a creative economy.

“Creative industries are not just creative and rewarding -- they offer significant economic, societal and environmental impact,” he said. “As such, the skills needed to thrive in the 21^st century are a mix of technical and creative aptitude,” he added.

Innovation and digital media fuel a creative economy according to Bryan-Kinns, Director of Media and Arts Technology at QMUL.

Del Val, on the other hand, the president and CEO of Cobena Business Analytics & Strategy, Inc., highlighted the significance of data science.

“The promise of big data is huge. It is a game changer for our nation. It is a growth accelerator,” he said. 

Mr. Francis del Val, President and CEO of Cobena Business Analytics & Strategy, Inc.,defines big data as a game changer.

The event was graced by H.E. Daniel Pruce, the newly-designated British Ambassador to the Philippines.  He lauded the institutions’ role as “trailblazers” in the development and delivery of TNE.

H.E. Daniel Pruce, UK ambassador to the Philippines

ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III highlighted the significance of the university-industry linkage in pushing innovation.

ABS-CBN funded the room and equipment for the Makerspace. This allows individuals from across different disciplines to work collaboratively towards the fabrication of innovative products.  It will be a key facility for the dual degree program on innovation and media and arts technology but also vital to pushing a culture of innovation as well in other programs of the Loyola Schools

As a token of appreciation, Fr Villarin presented Lopez with a replica of the Immaculate Conception statue by sculptor Juan Sajid Imao.

Fr. Villarin presents Mr.Eugenio Lopez III with a replica of the Immaculate Conception.