Ateneo de Manila unveils School of Education and Learning Design

The Ateneo de Manila University on Monday announced a new component school that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and educators' professional development.

The Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD) is so named "in recognition of the extraordinary donation from the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation to establish the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Endowment for Educational Innovation," Fr. Roberto C. Yap SJ said in a statement.

According to the university, the endowment will be used to further goals involving capacity building, knowledge building, and influence/network building.

The first goal focuses on high-quality teacher education, teacher training, and leadership development particularly in STEM, literacy, critical thinking, and Catholic education.

The second goal involves research, particularly to aid educational policy and the improvement of pedagogies and educational systems.

The last covers partnerships with educational institutions, government, and the private sector on issues in Philippine educational reform.

"We believe that this endowment and strategic partnership with a trusted institution like Ateneo, allows us to become a meaningful contributor towards helping transform Philippine education to meet the challenges of a continuously evolving world," said GBF chairman Lance Gokongwei.

The endowment also provides for the establishment of the Lily Gokongwei Ngochua Leadership Academy at GBSEALD, which will offer leadership development programs for educational leaders such as principals, particularly in public education. — BM, GMA News