USJ-R adopts RAFI’s youth programs

CEBU, Philippines - Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.’s Young Minds Academy programs are now integrated into the National Service Training Program (NSTP) of the University of San Jose-Recoletos after forging a partnership agreement yesterday.

The agreement was signed by RAFI president Roberto Aboitiz , USJ-R university president  Rev. Father Christopher Maspara, and Primitivo Lano, the university’s security and safety department head.

RAFI and USJ-R, which also both signed a Memorandum of Understanding last February 5, agreed to undertake collaborative programs and activities, including those in line with youth development.

RAFI, through the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC), established the Young Minds Academy, an eight-month leadership and citizenship development program aimed at developing young people aged 12-20 years old into becoming responsible and accountable leaders and pro-active citizens ready to serve the public and its interest.

Dan Sabare, program officer of EADSC, said some of YMA programs will be adopted by USJR’s NSTP for two semesters.  With the partnership, Aboitiz said, they can enhance each other’s programs with an aim to produce future leaders of the country, most especially here in Cebu. 

USJ-R sees that the program content and strategies of YMA could be adopted to improve instruction and delivery of its NSTP-Civic Welfare Training Service.

  YMA emphasizes learning by doing; employs group work and collaborative learning; and engages young people with the development issues of the community in a manner appropriate for their age, needs and interests. — (FREEMAN)