Dr. Tan Presents Project Results Defining Whole Person Education

Acting President Dr. Betsy Joy Bustamante-Tan presented the results of the project on whole person education involving member higher education institutions of the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities (ACSCU) in the Philippines, at two conferences held in Mindanao mid this month.

The project, “Development of Standards for Whole Person Education in the Context of Member HEIs of the ACSCU and ACSCU-ACI,” sought to develop a unified understanding of Whole Person Education (WPE) and a common approach to both its application in student learning.

Project results were discussed during the ACSCU General Assembly held May 15 to 17 in Cagayan de Oro City, and later, at the ACSCU-Accrediting Council, Inc. conference from May 17 to 19 in Davao City.

Two of the common definitions or conceptualizations of WPE that surfaced during the project period were:

A healthy body, a sound mind, an emotionally, socially and spiritually mature learner thru structured and unstructured teaching-learning process towards becoming competent agents of change responsive to the needs of the society.

The development of the mind, body, spirit, and soul towards becoming a total person mindful of one’s humanity and responsibility as a citizen and member of society and the global community.

Supported by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia, the project reinforces the efforts of Silliman University for it and its partner institutions to adopt WPE as both an approach to and a goal of education in the Philippines.

Dr. Tan headed the Silliman project team composed of Dr. Christopher A. Ablan, Liaison Officer of Silliman to the United Board, and Mr. Novee E. Mastrecampo Jr., Project Development Coordinator of the Extension Program.