Rev Fr Roberto C Yap SJ was formally installed as 10th president of Xavier University on Aug 15, Feast of Our Lady’s Assumption, at the Immaculate Conception Chapel. The investiture ceremonies commenced with a Eucharistic Celebration presided by Most Rev Antonio J Ledesma SJ DD, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro, followed by an Academic Convocation.

Provincial Superior of the Jesuit Philippine Province, Rev Fr Jose CJ Magadia SJ missioned Fr Yap to his new ministry and conferred on him the Presidential Medallion. The University Charter and the University Mace were handed over to the President by Dr Patricia Licuanan, Chair of the Commission on Higher Education, and Engr Elpidio Paras, Chair of the University Board of Trustees.

Dr Licuanan, Atty Casimiro Juarez, President of Capitol University, and Rev Fr Antonio Moreno SJ, Chair of the Jesuit Higher Education Commission, gave salutations to Fr Yap.

In his inaugural address, the newly-installed president said he will continue what his predecessor started.

“I have inherited a thriving and healthy Xavier University from Fr Jett.  He deserves great credit for his leadership in moving forward Ateneo de Cagayan so successfully.  My role will be, in part, to carry on what he has started.  I will certainly continue to pursue the three University Development Goals that Fr Jett articulated: Stronger Formation, Greater Societal Engagement and Better Administration.”

Fr Yap also shared what he envisions Xavier to become: the “best Xavier University for the 21st century.”

“I will do my utmost to lead Ateneo de Cagayan in becoming a flourishing Filipino, Catholic and Jesuit academic institution serving vigorously and creatively the needs of Mindanao, the Philippines and Asia-Pacific.  I will do my best to serve XU’s mission of forming men and women of competence, conscience and commitment.”

[Read full text of Fr Yap's Inaugural Address]

Rev Fr Daniel PL Huang SJ, General Counselor of the Society of Jesus and Regional Assistant for Jesuits in Asia-Pacific Region, gave the closing remarks. A dinner reception followed at the Covered Courts.

The investiture ceremonies were attended by the entire Xavier University community, presidents and faculty from other Ateneo schools, benefactors and friends of Ateneo de Cagayan.

Fr Yap hails from Cebu City. He entered the Society of Jesus on May 30, 1982 and was ordained a Catholic Priest on March 14, 1992. He earned his degree in Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University where he graduated Cum Laude; his Master of Arts in Economics from the New School for Social Research, New York; his Bachelor in Sacred Theology from Loyola School of Theology where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and his Master of Arts in Theology from the Ateneo de Manila University; his Master in Public Policy from Harvard University; and his Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the University College London.

Besides serving as Xavier University President, Fr Yap is concurrently the Province Treasurer of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus.