By Louren B Aranas and Stephen J Pedroza

With the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Integration to transpire in 2015, Xavier University prepares and seeks to be a leading player in education in the region with a revised vision-mission statement.

“We set our sights toward becoming a leading ASEAN university. We are very conscious of the process of globalization and integration, said XU president Fr Roberto “Bobby” C Yap SJ during the official launching of the new vision-mission statement at the XU Covered Courts on September 8.

“We want to be a major educational institution who will serve the whole of Southeast Asian region,” Fr Bobby continued.

The AEI will modify the region into a single economic realm with the free movement of investments, goods and services among the 10 member-nations.

The revised vision reads: “A leading ASEAN university forming leaders of character by 2033.”

A new mission was also summarized alongside XU’s revised vision. It reads: “Xavier University is a Filipino, Catholic and Jesuit University forming leaders of competence, conscience and commitment serving the Church, the global community and the Filipino people.”

On the other hand, various arts companies under the banner of Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) as well as the academic departments of XU performed during the launching.

Despite the torrential rain which prompted the cancellation of the parade from the XU Main Lane to the Covered Courts, the University administration, faculty and staff students, parents (including XU Grade School and XU High School) and alumni graced the cultural showcase.

The launching was in line with the celebration of the Feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mother.

One noun, three adjectives

In his message, Fr Bobby appealed to the XU community to embody the new and broader ideals of the University.

“Ideals are like the stars. We may never reach them but they will always guide our course. We may be never be able to achieve it fully and completely, but tonight, may we commit ourselves as individuals that we come together as one community that this mission and vision will always guide our course,” he said.

The XU president added that the gist of the mission statement can be recalled easily with its one noun: university, and three adjectives: Filipino, Catholic, and Jesuit.

As an academic community, XU is “united in the authentic search of the truth.” The community comprises not only of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the administration but also of parents who are actively participating in improving the institution.

“We care about what happens to the Philippines. … We want to promote sustainable development of the [Northern Mindanao] region and the country,” said Fr Bobby on XU being a Filipino university. This aspect includes preserving the country’s culture and heritage, inclusive economic development and equitable distribution of resources.

He also highlighted that XU, being a Catholic university, maintains its preferential option for the poor.

‘Go, set the world on fire’

Meanwhile, as a Jesuit university, XU commits to the mission of the Jesuits—serving the faith, engaging in dialogues and caring for creations.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus.

With the theme Ite inflammate omnia which means “Go, set the world on fire,” the Jesuits worldwide commemorated the bicentenary of the reinstitution of their religious order.

Fr Bobby summarized the important points in the celebration, “The different effects of fire can elucidate the three themes of this bicentennial: gratitude, renewal and mission.”

In his homily during this year’s Red Mass, Fr Bobby shared, “Let us ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen our hearts so we may be bold and courageous in pursuing our vision as Xavier University: ‘A leading ASEAN university forming leaders of character by 2033.’ Throughout this bicentennial, may we be on fire with magis, ready to go to the peripheries…”

In the year 2033, XU will celebrate its centennial and the revision of its vision-mission statement is an effort of emphasizing its goals toward the 100th year as a community.

“May we receive the Spirit’s fire … the warm fire that fills our hearts with gratitude so we can see that all is grace; the fire that purifies our hearts so we are renewed in our ideals and the values we hold dear; the fire that energizes us so we can do our mission to engage the frontiers, seeking what more we can do in the service, para sa Diyos at bayan (for God and country),” Fr Bobby said.

A marker of the new vision-mission statement was erected beside the sculpture of St Francis Xavier, along the XU Main Lane.

“Go, set the world on fire” was the same line said by the founder of the Society of Jesus, St Ignatius Loyola to his good friend and colleague, St Xavier when Loyola sent him on a mission to the Far East.