19 November 2015. Manila, Philippines - The University for Peace (UPEACE) was pleased to celebrate the Commencement Ceremony of 30 students from the 7th cohort of our Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship (APS) Programme on 19 November at Ateneo de Manila University, Manila, Philippines. The 7th cohort of APS scholars consisted of 30 students from eight different countries in Asia. It was the first cohort of scholars to finish this unique programme with a second degree from Ateneo de Manila University, and who also had the opportunity to make a direct contribution to Asian communities through the implementation of peace building projects of their own design. UPEACE was honoured to receive Ambassador Luis Gallegos from Ecuador to provide the key note speech for the graduates.
UPEACE is grateful to The Nippon Foundation and Ateneo de Manila University for their continuous collaboration on this shared scholarship programme, which trains young Asian professionals to become peace building practitioners, ready to take up leading positions in organisations across the globe.
The annual International Advisory Board (IAB) meeting for the APS Programme was held on the same day in order for the members to receive a complete update of the programme’s progress and engage with representatives from The Nippon Foundation and the universities regarding future programme enhancement. Additionally, a roundtable forum engaging APS IAB members, UPEACE Rector Francisco Rojas Aravena, students from the graduating class and faculty from Ateneo de Manila University on New public policy to overcome the new conflicts and risks was also held.
Other activities included a photo exhibit of students’ experiences in the field and an interactive event between APS alumni invited as guests and APS7 students in order to stimulate interaction and inspiration among the alumni network and to provide the opportunity for the APS7 graduating class to benefit from the post-APS experience of successful alumni.
Video APS7 Student Projects 2014 - UPEACE & ADMU
For more information on the APS Programme, please see www.upeace.org/aps.
