Ateneo, UP move school opening to August

MANILA, Philippines - The Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines (UP) system are finally shifting their academic calendars to start in August instead of June, the schools announced Thursday.

In a statement on Thursday, Ateneo said that the new calendar will be effective for school year 2015 to 2016 for its Loyola schools and professional or graduate schools as approved by its board of trustees on Wednesday.

UP, meanwhile, will immediately start the transition this year after the Board of Regents approved the shift Thursday, UP Student Regent Krista Melgarejo said as reported by the Philippine Collegian.

Flagship campus UP Diliman, however, will keep the same calendar "due to opposition registered by sectors," Melgarejo said.

Ateneo University President Jose Ramon Villarin said that the shift in the academic year is part of the school's effort to adapt to globalization.

"Ateneo needs to ensure that our graduates develop a global outlook and global competencies so that they can navigate a more complex, interconnected world and contribute towards resolving global concerns," Villarin said.

The shift will also allow the university to be in sync with 80 percent of its educational partners abroad and will facilitate more collaboration between Ateneo and foreign institutions, Villarin explained.

UP President Alfredo Pascual had similarly expressed that the "big shift" is due to the upcoming integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2015

"[The move is] consistent with the provision of UP’s charter to be a regional and global university and addresses current developments in the region and the world," Pascual said in the proposal.

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Addressing criticisms, Villarin added that the decision was not made haphazardly as it came from an eight-month study and consultations with stakeholders such as faculty members, students and parents.

Ateneo noted that the Commission on Higher Education has been informed of the impending transition from the original June to March academic year to the new August to May duration.

Villarin admitted, however, that the transition would be challenging.

"Notwithstanding the broad support of the community, there remain concerns and adjustments to be addressed to ensure a smooth transition," the statement said.