Saint Louis University (SLU), through its School of Advanced Studies (SAS), marked a significant milestone by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation. The signing was held on 19 September 2024 at the SLU Executive Board Room, Administrative Building, SLU Main Campus.
Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, witnessed by SAS Dean Faridah Kristi C. Wethederick, PhD, signed the MOA with Gokongwei Brothers Foundation through Executive Director Grace R. Colet, accompanied by Values Formation Officer Angel Ermie Lord Malibunas. Other witnesses to the signing include SAS Graduate Program Coordinator for Teacher Education Program Geraldine S. Wakat, PhD, Office for Global Relation and Alumni Affairs Director Stephenie Busbus, GBF’s Senior Program Officer Caryn Joy Muega, and Program Associate Maria Sofia Alexi Romero.
The University President conveyed his gratitude by saying, “That is very important, the scholarships for Teacher Education. There are very few now who are studying Teacher Education.” He added, “Whenever I meet people like you (scholarship providers), I always push for Teacher Education’s Scholarship.”
The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation is a 32-year Family Foundation serving as a beacon of support for education, more particularly in the realm of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. However, over the past five years, the foundation embarked on a significant shift in its focus. Through extensive research and interviews with schools across the country, both public and private, a critical realization emerged: the key to unlocking proper education lies in empowering teachers.
In line with this, GBF’s Executive Director Colet stated, “It’s hard to reach all the students, but maybe if we can impact the teachers and elevate and help them, then they can lead the pathway to help students.”
The Gokongwei Foundation’s commitment to teacher development is a testament to its unwavering dedication to building a brighter future for all Filipinos. This event reflected the CICM Advocacy of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) and aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17). (Article by Arnmari Christine DelaCruz, UIO Intern | Photos by Christler Jan Ebue, UIO Intern)
