Pax. The growth trajectory for School Year 2024-2025 is a critical period for San Beda College Alabang as we craft our five-year development plan (2025-2030), anchored on the gains achieved and lessons learned in the last five years. Let us forge ahead with the overarching theme Ora et Labora: our Journey to Excellence by Faith in God and Works that Lead to a Future-proof School and Sustainable Economy. In shaping our path forward, here follows our renewed focus area themes that should guide us in the course of the next five years.
1. On-going Christian Formation in Worship, Faith, and Morals: We must recognize the importance of nurturing spiritual growth and character development among our learners, faculty, and staff. With love and excellence, we remain committed to our Catholic Faith and true to our Benedictine and Bedan heritage. Our unwavering pledge to Catholic education must permeate all aspects of campus life and learning, integrating faith into academic pursuits, thus fostering character development, ethical decision-making, and a sense of purpose. As we engage in the Sacramental life of the Church, faith-sharing groups, and moral education programs, we contribute to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not only academically competent but also grounded in the life of faith and good works.
2. Curriculum Development Amid Technological Advances in Education and Global Citizenship Education: As technology continues to evolve rapidly, we must adapt our curricula to equip our learners with relevant skills for the future. Global citizenship education will empower our graduates to engage with complex global challenges. Leveraging ethically technological advances (primarily Generative Artificial Intelligence and Chatboxes, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Online Learning Platforms, and Data Analytics and Personalization), we design innovative learning experiences that prepare learners for the challenges of the 21st century. Global Citizenship Education is a cornerstone of this effort, emphasizing cross-cultural understanding, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. By equipping our learners with a global Catholic mindset, we aim to produce graduates who can thrive in an interconnected world.
3. Highly Engaged and Responsive Organization (HERO) and Robust Industry Linkages and Alumni Relations: As a highly engaged and responsive organization, our learning institution is committed to providing the best opportunities in learner engagement with industry partners that develop the right skills and expertise appropriate for national development. Strengthening our ties with industry partners ensures a vibrant network of support, mentorship, and collaboration for our learners’ benefit. By fostering strong relationships, we create a community that thrives together. Moreover, we must establish a robust alumni relations program to ensure our alumni remain connected to their alma mater. Through mentorship programs, career services, and networking events, former students not only continue to benefit from the school’s resources long after graduation but – equally important – play an essential role in shaping our school’s future by contributing their expertise and experiences, and by sharing their resources.
4. Accredited Programs and Systems: Maintaining high standards of quality through accreditation ensures that our programs meet rigorous benchmarks. Accreditation enhances reputation and provides assurance to our stakeholders. To maintain our school’s reputation for excellence, we must prioritize maintaining and sustaining accredited programs and quality assurance systems. We must engage in rigorous quality assurance processes both internally and externally to ensure our academic offerings meet national and international standards. Quality assurance systems include the efficient management of our fiscal and environmental resources. Our accreditation by reputable accrediting agencies not only validates the quality of our programs but also enhances our graduates’ employability and mobility.
5. Sustained Academic Research Capabilities and Excellent Research Outputs: Furthering the improvement of academic research capabilities is paramount in producing excellent research outputs. We are committed to offering targeted courses and training programs that foster essential academic research skills among faculty and staff, empowering them to enhance their capabilities. We are committed to producing impactful research that contributes to national and international development goals.
6. Active Social Responsibility Engagements: Our engagement with social responsibility initiatives reflects our commitment to sustaining positive change, particularly in the areas of poverty alleviation and economic prosperity, quality education, healthcare, and environmental protection. Hence, we must actively contribute to society through our social responsibility engagements, supported by data and research, informing decisions that steer societies towards positive change. By aligning our research efforts with national and international sustainable development goals, we address pressing societal challenges. Whether through scientific breakthroughs or community outreach initiatives, we remain committed to contributing national efforts for deep economic and social transformation.
7. Promotion of Culture and the Arts: We celebrate creativity, diversity, and cultural heritage by enriching the lives of our learners and contributing to a more vibrant Catholic school culture that nurtures academic knowledge, creativity, emotional expression, and social awareness. Our learners are engaged in culture and arts education that results in better academic and non-academic outcomes. Their exposure to various art forms—such as music, theater, dance, and visual arts—enhances their academic achievements, reading skills, creative thinking, critical analysis, agility, and collaboration skills. With these various art forms deeply rooted in the rich history of the Church, our learners are exposed to the richness of our Catholic and Benedictine tradition. Moreover, as we are called to give dutiful witness, integrating culture and arts inspired by the Gospel, we uphold our mission to foster faith, values, and ethical living. By cultivating culture and the arts in our curricula, we contribute to the development of our learners’ character, empathy, and understanding of diverse perspectives, encouraging them to become compassionate, socially responsible, and culturally aware individuals.
In summary, our growth trajectory is not only about financial metrics but also about holistic development, ethical values, and societal impact. By aligning ourselves with these themes, we aim to create a future-proof school that serves as a beacon of excellence – that in all things, God may be glorified!