Saint Louis University (SLU) reaffirmed its commitment to refugee education and global collaboration by participating in the ceremonial signing and launch of Pathways Pilipinas on 25 March 2025. The event, held at Horacio Cebrero Hall, De La Salle Philippines, marked a significant step toward creating sustainable opportunities for refugees in the Philippines.
Under the leadership of SLU President, Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, whose unwavering dedication to inclusive education has guided the University’s mission to foster global collaboration and support marginalized populations, SLU was represented at this occasion by Executive Assistant to the University President, Joselito C. Gutierrez, PhD and Director of Global Relations and Alumni Affairs, Stephenie O. Busbus, PhD.
Pathways Pilipinas unites higher education institutions, government agencies, and international organizations to foster a more inclusive Filipino society for refugees. The alliance envisions a future where refugees, especially the most vulnerable, are welcomed and empowered through education, entrepreneurship, and employment. By formally joining the alliance, SLU reinforces its commitment to equitable quality education and a culture of acceptance and integration within academic communities.
SLU’s participation in Pathways Pilipinas builds on its earlier involvement in the Complementary Pathways (CPath) program, an initiative launched during the 2019 Global Refugee Forum by the Philippines’ Department of Justice and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Since August 2023, SLU has welcomed Rohingya scholars as part of the CPath program, providing young refugees with access to transformative education, comprehensive support, and opportunities for self-reliance.
As a founding member of Pathways Pilipinas, SLU has joined forces with Columban College, Inc. (CCI), De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU), De La Salle Brothers, Inc. (DLSBI), San Beda University (SBU), Tarlac State University (TSU), and the University of St. La Salle (USLS) to enhance refugee support systems and break down barriers to higher education. The alliance is also dedicated to fostering positive youth development by championing programs that nurture leadership, resilience, and community engagement among young refugees. Through impactful research and strategic resource mobilization, the alliance aims to address the unique challenges faced by displaced populations and drive evidence-based solutions for effective integration.
The Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar, remains one of the world’s most persecuted and displaced populations. Since 1982, they have been denied citizenship, and in August 2017, over 730,000 Rohingya fled violence in Myanmar to seek refuge in neighboring Bangladesh. SLU’s involvement in the Complementary Pathways program, and now in Pathways Pilipinas, underscores its dedication to offering these young scholars a renewed sense of hope, dignity, and the tools to rebuild their futures through education and self-reliance.
In collaboration with government agencies, international organizations, and like-minded academic institutions, SLU remains steadfast in its goal to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of learning and opportunity. Such initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). (Article by: Kathreena Cabañero, OGRAA Intern | Photos by OGRAA)
