XAVIER ATENEO x NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIV. From left to right: Jim Akut II of XU Senior High School, Mona Lisa Dahan Pangan of Campus Ministries, Engr Dexter Lo of XU College of Engineering, Dr Edralin Manla of XU School of Education, Dr Eric Jones of NIU Center of Southeast Asian Studies, Xavier Ateneo president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, vMaria Victoria Bicbic Trinidad of the Arrupe Educational Center, Anito Librando Jr of XU Junior High School, and Dr Ma Angeles B Dano-Hinosolango of University of Science and Technology in Southern Philippines. Supplied photo.
A partnership between Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan and Northern Illinois University (NIU) has been formed for the implementation of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program 2019 (PYLP).
The said program will bring opportunities for the two universities to strengthen their roles in youth leadership and peace and development in Mindanao.
PYLP is a program for high school student leaders from diverse communities (Christians, Muslims, and Lumads) in Mindanao to participate in a month-long leadership training in the United States of America, particularly in NIU in DeKalb, Illinois, and concluding with a brief educational visit to Washington DC.
Upon their return to the Philippines, the participants implement their self-led projects that promote the following themes: civic engagement, youth leadership, respect for diversity, and community engagement.
PYLP is lodged under the Arrupe Educational Center (AEC) of the XU School of Education and funded by the US Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
In a courtesy meeting on September 16 with Xavier Ateneo president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, AEC director Maria Victoria Bicbic Trinidad said that XU’s role is to oversee the recruitment, screening, and selection of youth and adult participants for the PYLP.
“We have seen the many works of Xavier University in terms of youth leadership and development here in Mindanao so we decided to tap Xavier to be our partner,” said Dr Eric Jones, director of NIU Center of Southeast Asian Studies.
“We are also happy to be reunited with some of our USG alumni here at Xavier,” Jones added.
Present at the meeting were XU personnel and USG alumni Maria Victoria Trinidad of AEC, Anito Librando Jr of XU Junior High School, Jim Akut II of XU Senior High School, Dr Edralin Manla of XU School of Education, Mona Lisa Dahan Pangan of Campus Ministries, and Engr Dexter Lo of XU College of Engineering.
This partnership will make use of XU School of Education’s expertise in peace education and of its networks with the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education.
The selection of participants will run from October to November. Finalists will be interviewed face-to-face and Xavier Ateneo will recommend the 28 participants to NIU.
When approved, the XU team will work with the US Embassy in the Philippines for their pre-departure documents of the participants from January to February, and the orientation, skills workshop, and VISA interviews will be held in April.
After their US training, Xavier Ateneo will monitor their self-led project implementations from May to June, and gather them for synthesis and sharing of lessons in August 2019.
Both Xavier Ateneo and NIU are also looking into working together on faculty exchange program and other academic collaborations.∎
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PYLP 2019 is looking for youth participants who:
1. Must be at least 15 years old and not more than 17 years old by April 1, 2018;
2. Must be either in Grade 9, Grade 10, or Grade 11;
3. Can speak, read, and write in English proficiently;
4. Have demonstrated leadership skills and community service;
5. Have good academic performance;
6. Are willing to attend the program’s follow-on activities; and
7. Have no previous significant travel to the U.S. on a U.S. government-sponsored program.
PYLP 2019 is looking for adult participants who:
1. Must be at least 25 years old and not more than 35 years old by April 1, 2018;
2. Can speak, read, and write in English proficiently;
3. Must have experience in working with or training youth;
4. Are active in environment-related activities or community projects;
5. Are willing to attend the program’s follow-on activities; and
6. Have no previous significant travel to the U.S. on a U.S. government-sponsored program.
For more information, you may contact Maria Victoria Bicbic Trinidad of the Arrupe Educational Center through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you.