Peace! Salaām!

I am very pleased to present to you the Ateneo de Davao University’s Strategic Plan 2015-2020, “AFIRE for Social Justice and the Common Good.”  It was borne out of a nine-month participatory process of shared reflection and planning among men and women of the University, teachers, faculty, staff, union leaders, administrators, trustees, and students. From the active engagement of all involved and the dynamic discussions, it was clear that what was at work in the whole process was the Spirit binding us in our diversity toward greater fidelity to our University vision and mission.

At the heart of our plan is our desire to be of greater relevance to the community that we serve in Mindanao, the Philippines, Asia Pacific, and the globe.  Our desire is to form graduates who will use their Ateneo de Davao education to work for social justice and the common good beyond excellence of professional training to become well-educated “whole person[s] of solidarity”; to produce robust research toward the solution of human problems; to engage in outreach especially with vulnerable communities and with government toward the establishment of just societal structures; and to achieve operational excellence to enable all these to happen.

We have laid out specific strategies to achieve our vision, mission, and goals.  We have also carefully chosen performance indicators to show our commitment not just to lofty ideals but also to concrete results.

I am thankful for the tireless efforts of the women and men from across the University who have contributed their energy, committed their talents, and invested their time in the development of this Plan. To everyone involved, please know that your efforts are not only appreciated but also essential to our success.

As we move from the planning phase toward implementation of the Strategic Plan, your continued engagement and dedication will be of utmost importance. Together, we have envisioned a worthy path for Ateneo de Davao University, one that will shape our future in the years to come and create sustainable impacts on the communities we work with. Together, we will build the Ateneo de Davao University as a true social project—seeking “to insert itself into a society, not just to train professionals, but in order to become a cultural force advocating and promoting truth, virtue, development, and peace in that society” (Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, 2010 Jesuit Higher Education Summit).

With deep faith in God, we respond to the tasks at hand. Indeed, God is wind. We are the embers He ignites!

Sincerely in our Lord,

Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J.