A Union to Cover the Distance
City of Zamboanga, Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines – In a groundbreaking partnership, Ateneo de Zamboanga University Rosendo U Castillo Jr College of Law (AdZU RUCJ COL) and Ateneo de Manila University School of Law (ALS) joined forces to bring the Master of Laws (LL.M) Program to the heart of Zamboanga. Infused with Ignatian Spirituality, the LL.M program will focus on three objectives – academic excellence, research development, and international competency – in training a new breed of legal practitioners.
A Partnership Sealed
The partnership between AdZU RUCJ COL and ALS was ceremoniously sealed on June 11, 2024, at 9:00 AM during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement at the Carlos Dominguez Conference Hall (CDCH), located on the ground floor of the Fr Ernesto A Carretero SJ Building, Salvador Campus, La Purisima Street, Zamboanga City.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the highly anticipated Master of Laws (LL.M) Program, designed to advance legal practice in the region. This opens a door of opportunity for Zamboangueño lawyers to pursue a degree in LL.M conveniently at Ateneo de Manila University. Additionally, this program allows its enrollees to take a dual degree grant at international partner universities of ADMU.
AdZU was represented by President Fr Guillrey Anthony M Andal SJ, Vice President for Higher Education Fr Rene C Tacastacas SJ, and RUCJ COL Dean Atty Maria Corazon J Montemor. The event was also graced by distinguished faculty from ALS, including Dean Jose Maria G Hofileña, Director of Graduate Legal Studies Institute Atty Amparita Sta Maria, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Ma Ngina Teresa Chan-Gonzaga, Atty Patricia Sta Maria, and the Master of Ceremony, Atty Ryan Jeremiah Quan. The signing ceremony was then followed by a press conference where key figures from both universities engaged with the media
Developing Ignatian Lawyers – The Master of Laws (LL.M) Program
Since its establishment in 2011, AdZU RUCJ COL has been committed to empowering aspiring lawyers and Zamboangueño law practitioners with the values of Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Nurtured under the passionate hands of the school’s namesake, Atty Rosendo U Castillo, Jr, the AdZU RUCJ COL has demonstrated excellence, with students consistently achieving noteworthy performance results in the past bar examinations. Now, with Dean Atty Maria Corazon J Montemor at the helm, the college is poised to enter a new era as it begins a new journey with ALS, carving exciting pathways forward with the introduction of this new program offering.
This new program offering is a testament to AdZU’s commitment to tradition of excellence in Jesuit education. This aligns with our vision and mission of steering forward a transformative education and addressing the evolving needs of the legal profession in the Philippines and globally.
The LL.M program aims to elevate legal education by providing specialized training and fostering expertise in various legal fields. Key objectives include:
- Academic Excellence: Pursuing rigorous legal education rooted in Jesuit traditions and Ignatian Spirituality.
- Research Development: Contributing to national and international legal advancements through ethical research.
- International Competence: Enhancing skills in international law and cross-border legal practice.
More details of the LL.M program are available on https://adzu.edu.ph/academics/college-of-law-col/.
A Vision for Justice
Justice that is fair and impartial, one that serves all individuals regardless of stature or place in the hierarchy of society, is one that is most needed in these strange and trying times. And it is through the powerful convergence of reputable law institutions that this vision can be made tangible. With an army of Ignatian lawyers able to serve with competency and expertise guided by the hand of faith that does justice, impunity and the abuse of power will be fought and dealt with more effectively.
With this visionary blueprint, we march forward, ever committed to serving God, His people, the country, and beyond.
