Uniservitate Asia & Oceania Regional Awards 2024 Ceremony celebrates outstanding service-learning achievements

On September 25, 2024, Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU) in Taipei, Taiwan, hosted the Uniservitate Asia & Oceania Regional Awards Ceremony. Organized by De La Salle University in partnership with FJCU, the event celebrated outstanding Service-Learning (SL) initiatives from Catholic Higher Education Institutions (CHEIs) across Asia and Oceania. These awards highlight best practices in SL that enhance holistic education and address socio-environmental challenges, supporting Uniservitate’s global mission.

De La Salle University’s “Project MAGKASAPI – MAGkasamang KAunlaran SA Pag-aaral at Paglalarong Intelektwal” and Australian Catholic University’s Thomas More Law School pro bono legal service and education program earned top honors. Project MAGKASAPI promotes intellectual and communal growth through learning and play, with a focus on disaster risk reduction and management to be inculcated in the youth. Meanwhile, the Thomas More Law School program, restructured in 2021, provides free legal aid and practical education to underserved communities.

Ateneo de Manila University’s “PROJECT BANYUHAY” and the University of San Agustin’s “KaTUWAng Program” received honorable mentions. PROJECT BANYUHAY empowers indigenous youth through digital storytelling. KaTUWAng Program, on the other hand, supports marginalized groups through sustainable initiatives like mental health programs for the youth.

The ceremony highlighted the vital role CHEIs play in combining academic excellence with community engagement, driving meaningful societal change.