In a landmark trifecta of events last February 27, 2023, 2 PM, at the AdZU Lantaka Campus, NS Valderosa Street, AdZU advances and expands with the naming of the Lantaka Campus buildings after the Walstrom family and the opening of the AdZU-DOST Azul Hub and the renaming of the ALTEC Learning Center in honor of Benjamin Lim Go.
The DOST-AdZU AZUL Hub is a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) created through the joined efforts of the AdZU Social Development Office (SDO), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The center aims to support Mindanaoan innovators with their technology-based startups which in turn contributes to the development of the City and beyond. This is AdZU’s commitment to continuing its mission of community empowerment.
Along with this launch, AdZU also renames the Lantaka Campus buildings in honor of the Walstrom Family – the donors of this iconic heritage site which was previously the Lantaka Hotel by the Sea. This is to remind the community of the spirit of generosity that is inherent in Ignatian and Jesuit education.
Finally, one of AdZU’s newly created extensions – the Ateneo Learning and Teaching Excellence Center (ALTEC), will also christen its new Learning Center after Mr Benjamin Lim Go, one of the University’s most generous partners and staunch believers of AdZU’s core values and its mission and vision.
BRINGING TOGETHER AND EMPOWERING MINDANAOAN INNOVATORS | The DOST-AdZU AZUL Hub Takes Off
AdZU links with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in gathering and empowering visionaries and idea-makers to face our most pressing social issues bringing Zamboanga City, the Peninsula, and even the whole of Region IX to a brighter, more productive tomorrow.
The DOST-AdZU AZUL HUB is thus created to reach this goal. This new collaboration between the University and the government acts as a Technology Business Incubator or TBI – a hub for bright Mindanaoan minds who show great potential.
The AZUL Hub officially launched last February 27, 2023 at the AdZU Lantaka Campus, Breeza Hall, together with a soft launching of the Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) and Fabrication Laboratory. These facilities will be a boon for young and aspiring innovators, entrepreneurs, and techno-preneurs. The hub aims to give ample support and resources to propel startup programs, researches, studies, and budding inventions. In doing so, the AdZU-AZUL Hub hopes to bring Zamboanga City on the map of advancement and development leading to lasting social transformation.
The creation of the DOST-AdZU AZUL Hub has been made possible by the tireless efforts and generous support of a union of different sectors all sharing the same vision for a more technologically advanced Zamboanga City.
These are the AdZU Social Development Office (SDO), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), and the City Government of Zamboanga.
Through this newest hub, AdZU hopes to create new paths in Zamboanga City and in the neighboring areas of Region IX and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to participate and develop their technology-based and innovation-driven businesses.
GRATEFULNESS FOR GIFTS GIVEN | Naming of AdZU Lantaka Campus Zones to Walstrom Benefactors
Throughout Zamboanga City’s colorful history, the Lantaka Hotel by the Sea has been one of its most recognizable and well-loved landmarks. It has sheltered countless visitors and holiday-goers and has been host to innumerable occasions and significant gatherings.
In the spirit of selfless generosity, the Walstrom family, through Hilda Gruet Walstrom, donated the whole establishment to the University with a Deed of Donation signed together with University President Fr Karel S San Juan, SJ.
The estate was then eventually inaugurated on March 19, 2019 and was officially known by then onwards as the AdZU Lantaka Campus.
In its new form as an educational and social development institution, the AdZU Lantaka Campus has since then catered not only to the University’s mission but has continued to serve the city. It has aided in the city’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic when it was lent to the local government to be designated as the first quarantine facility.
To honor its donors, the renovated buildings within the Lantaka Campus was named after Hilda Gruet Walstrom and her parents David Walstrom and Gabriella Gruet Walstrom in a simple ceremony on February 27, 2023.
David and Gabriella Walstrom are well-known Davao philanthropists whose charitable works and generous contributions to their city are remembered and appreciated. These values have been passed on to their daughters, one of them being Hilda Walstrom, who was proclaimed Miss Davao in December 15, 1952, crowned Ms Mindanao in 1953, chosen as La Reina de la Caridad (Queen of Charity) at the Baile de las Diademas (Hall of Diamonds), and was even a finalist during the Ms Philippines beauty pageant in 1953.
With this naming event, AdZU pledges to continue to be responsible caretakers and stewards of this heritage icon. Lantaka will be witness to greater things in education, and social development, especially with the launching of more University extensions in the campus.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION | AdZU ALTEC Names Learning Center After Benjamin Lim Go
The Ateneo Learning and Teaching Excellence Center (ALTEC) has been established in response to the problems plaguing our country’s educational system. To tackle this mission, educators themselves need to be comprehensively trained, empowered, and supported. It is the center’s dream to see teachers become more equipped, inspired, and better prepared to help our country’s young learners achieve the ideal levels of literacy and numeracy within the standards of global educational assessments.
AdZU ALTEC is a union of SUGPAT, AHA Learning Center, the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, and the AdZU School of Education established last January 25, 2023 at the AdZU Lantaka Campus through a historic signing of a Memorandum of Agreement.
ALTEC did not tarry in striving for the realization of their goals. Recently, the Teach Anywhere Program was set to action with the introduction of the Teach at the Right Level (TaRL) Training – a series of instructional sessions for public school teachers. Reaching out to the Schools Division of Zamboanga City, the Teach Anywhere coalition was able gather over 160 teachers from different districts of the City to participate in two batches of the TaRL Training sessions which were conducted last November 24-26, 2022 and February 7-9, 2023, respectively.
The TaRL Training sessions were designed to empower and support public school teachers not only in Zamboanga City but even those in other provinces of the Zamboanga Peninsula and BARMM, molding them into becoming more effective educators better equipped to inspire and guide young learners to reach their highest potentials.
These projects are made possible with the help of Benjamin Lim Go, through Benjamin Lim Investments, who boosted this newly launched University arm through a generous donation. The funds helped start up the gears of AdZU ALTEC’s newest projects and will continue to fuel future plans and engagements.
Thus, as an expression of gratitude and appreciation for his priceless contribution, AdZU ALTEC has named their Learning Center in honor of its major donor. Through a naming ceremony last February 27, 2023, it is known as the Benjamin Lim Go Learning Center.
It is through acts of love and generosity such as this that dreams become achievable. The renaming of AdZU ALTEC Learning Center to the Benjamin Lim Go Learning Center will be a constant reminder of the power of collaboration and meaningful partnerships.
For the betterment of the country’s education landscape, we push on with our vision and mission.
