ADMU's philosophy, English departments declared centers of excellence

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Higher Education declared the Ateneo de Manila University's Department of Philosophy and Department of English (Literature) as Centers of Excellence, with the Department of Filipino as Center of Development.

The announcement came after CHED issued Memorandum Order 8 last April 15.

The Philosophy Department was previously declared as a Center of Excellence in 2003, ADMU said. 

"It commits itself to creative and critical reflection, research, and formation, in dialogue with other disciplines and in solidarity with the marginalized sectors of local and global societies. It specializes on metaphysics, ancient and medieval philosophy; epistemology, modern and contemporary philosophy; ethics, social and political philosophy, and culture, art, science and religion," it added.

Meanwhile, the Department of English is a center for literacy-cultural studies, with lessons taught through a developing nation's perspective.

"It engages in and publishes significant research to create a distinctively Philippine theory. It also aims to be a leading institution in developing the competencies of students, teachers, and other language users through relevant language education and research. In 1999, the Department of English was already declared a Center of Excellence," ADMU noted.

CHED defines Centers of Excellence and Development as public or private higher education institutions that have demonstrated the highest degree or level of standard along the areas of instruction, research and extension. These institutions are given funding assistance for scholarships, faculty development, library and laboratory upgrading, research and extension services, instructional materials development, and networking of existing centers.