3 minute read
World class
WRITTEN BY AZEQUIEL P. DE LUNA
ATENEANS ARE known for consistent excellence in the endeavors that they participate in—garnering various accolades in university rankings, competitions, and extracurriculars, among others. However, the subsequent shift to online instruction prompted the Ateneo to devise ways to maintain excellence in the local and international scene. Gratefully, Ateneo maintains its excellence and even garners new recognitions, despite the limitations of the pandemic. Pursuant to the spirit of Magis, Ateneans have strived to go beyond in everything they do despite the adversities.
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ENDURING RECOGNITION
The University maintains its ranking as the top private university in the Philippines on the QS World Rankings 2023. This is amid a time of Ateneo’s introduction of a new online learning method in the form of the AteneoBlueCloud— creating a virtual campus that is inclusive of every student’s learning and needs in an online setting.
Ateneo achieved new heights when it became the top ranked Philippine university in the Times Higher Educations (THE) Impact Rankings 2021 for the first time, which is a global ranking that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ateneo continues to strive for sustainable development as they got a higher ranking in the THE Impact Rankings 2022.
For University President Roberto “Bobby” Yap, SJ, this ranking shows the dedication of Jesuit education to the pursuit of real-world impact.
THE EAGLE HAS LANDED
Aside from the recognition given to the University itself, students were also able to carry the University’s name in various competitions and awards across various fields. Batch 2022 seniors upheld excellence despite the pandemic reaching their final year of college, proving that these seniors’ passion never died out.
For the business case competition veteran John Lee (4 BS ME), joining competitions in the online setting may have its setbacks but it comes with silver linings. While the pandemic prevented team members from socializing well with one another, he believes that the online setting democratizes the opportunities provided by case competitions. This allowed a better integration of students in the provinces, bridging the international community, and broadcasting competitions online so that anyone can learn. Furthermore, John states that the online setting allows better time management.
“Asynchronous learning gives more flexibility in managing schedules, so you might see students with internships joining case
competitions on top of their academics,” John mentions, stating how one can maximize the online setting. “While some experiences were taken away, new doors have also opened. Lifting physical constraints can lead us to new discoveries from new people in new places” he says.
This mindset of his allowed him and his teammates to win competitions, such as bagging first place in the 2021 Nestlè M.I.L.E Virtual Hackathon along with fellow Ateneo seniors Reihan Leongson (4 BS ME) and Hannah Rubio (4 BS COMTECH).
Ateneans also made history when two teams became the first Filipino participants to make it to the finals and be named among best speakers in the 2021 World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC), wherein senior Mikko Vitug (4 BS/M AMF) was a participant. This breakthrough was made possible by the aid of the Ateneo Debate Society, revealing how the university’s extracurriculars are able to make an international presence. Finally, Ateneans are also able to use art to advance advocacy. Jake Consing (4 AB COM) directed a short film entitled Dildo, which won the jury prize in the Outfest Fusion One Minute Movie Contest, an LGBTQ+ centric film festival. In an interview conducted by Nylon Manila, Jake shares that personal experiences with regard to mental illness, querness, activism, and memory—issues that connect with a lot of people—influence his films.
CARRY ON
These recognitions that the University has received is a testament on how Ateneans still continue to strive for excellence despite the shift in space. Ateneans find opportunities amid challenges, and it presents the stability of Atenean education in an ever-changing world.
Batch 2022 and their accomplishments reveal that Atenean excellence is as vibrant as ever, and will reach even greater heights as they go down from the Hill.
Pursuant to the spirit of Magis, the Atenean community strives to go beyond in everything they do despite the adversities.
