In its pursuit for academic excellence, the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) is now offering four new courses starting this academic year.

The four courses are Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, Bachelor of Science in Data Science, Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering, and Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies.

AB Anthroplogy

In line with its vision to contribute and serve Mindanao through the promotion of humane humanity and intercultural dialogue, the university’s Department of Anthropology now offers a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology program.

According to the course’s rationale, AB Anthropology is designed to give specialized training to students in the field of social anthropology.

It currently offers five tracks of study: Academic Research, Leadership/Pre-Law, Community Development/Social Enterprise, Medical Anthropology, and Indigenous People’s Education.

The Academic Research track, which provides the most flexibility in pursuing an anthropological interest, offers more rigorous training in research.

It will also prepare students for further graduate studies in anthropology and a career as an academic anthropologist.

The Leadership/Pre-Law track is designed to give students unique anthropological insights into the nature of politics and law. It appeals to those who are planning to get a career in government or law.

The Community Development/Social Enterprise track, on the other hand, is for those considering work in non-profit, community-based organizations, as well as in the corporate world.

For those looking to pursue work in health-related fields, the Medical Anthropology tackles concerns such as health equities and disparities, public health, and ethnomedicine. It also includes topics on applied medical anthropology.

The fifth track, Indigenous Peoples Education, aims to give students opportunities with and among indigenous peoples. This is done through culturally-sensitive practices in basic education.

The Indigenous Peoples Education track is also for those who are looking to become practicing teachers in IP schools and communities.

According to Anthropology Department Faculty Member Fr. Ulysses Cabayao, SJ, graduates of the new course will be equipped with skills that are highly sought in diverse fields.

 “Aside from the course serving as a pathway to careers in law, politics, governance, education, public health, and community development, the skillset offered by an AB Anthro graduate is highly sought in the corporate world (specifically in HR and Marketing), in local and multinational NGOs, in government organizations, and in the academe,” he said.

Students who are interested in the course expressed how they expect it to be an opportunity for greater service.

BS Education Major in Biological Sciences student Vincent Campos shared that the course might help him gain a more accurate understanding of people and civilizations.

“What I’m expecting in AB Anthropology is that it could lead to forming more teachers in IP communities and that there would be future researches studying Mindanao and its people,” he explained.

When asked why she was interested in the course, AB International Studies Major in American Studies student Andriane Sam Gura, explained that her lessons on Mindanao Indigenous Peoples (MIP) taught her to reflect and think critically.

“I took MIP as my elective last semester, and the lessons sparked my interest. The teacher also made the lessons meaningful, and he helped us reflect and think critically,” she said.

The AB Anthropology course takes four years (eight semesters) to complete. All tracks except for Indigenous Peoples Education require summer classes.

For inquiries, the Anthropology department can be contacted through Twitter (@ADDUAnthro) or email ([email protected]).

BS Data Science

A fourth course, BS Data Science, is being offered under the Computer Studies Programs.

According to the Data Science Program Coordinator Adrian Ablazo, data science is a field that uses tools from various disciplines to gather and analyze datasets.

These datasets are processed and are used to derive meaningful data that can be used for valuable decision-making.

“Data science provides insights into big data, and every day we produce big data – whether through our social media posts, Netflix use, or even a simple Google search,” he said.

The course’s curriculum has already been approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and will take eight semesters to complete.

“It’s a 4-year Degree,” Ablazo added.

The course’s major subjects include Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Modeling and Simulation, etc.

Unlike other Data Science programs, AdDU’s program will give primary focus on Mindanao.

“Being that we are in a Mindanaoan university, we seek to look into the datasets of Mindanao, and how we can help in giving insights and solutions to real-world issues here,” Ablazo shared.

Potential jobs for AdDU BS Data Science graduates include Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Scraper, Data Wrangler, Business Analyst, Artificial Intelligence Expert, Data Visualization Expert, Professor, etc.

 For more information on this program, the department can be contacted through their official Twitter account (@addubsds).

BS Robotics Engineering

Pioneering another course in the Philippines, AdDU is now offering Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering.

According to a representative from the School of Engineering of Architecture (SEA) department, this course is unique not only in the country, but also in the ASEAN because it will include Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“[The] old robotics curriculum has no AI,” the representative said.

BS Robotics Engineering is said to combine Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation.

Furthermore, the course comes with specializations such as Agri Robotics, Biomedical Robotics, and Space Robotics.

It is thesis-based with a ladderized program that allows learners to progress between Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and College.

“[It comes] with diploma in Robotics Engineering Technology and National Certification in partnership with TESDA,” the SEA representative added.

The new course will take four years to complete.

Possible job areas or opportunities for BS Robotics Engineering graduates include: Precision Farming, Industrial and Mobile Robots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or drones, Autonomous Vehicles, Consumer Electronics, Consumer Electronics, Space and Defense, Smart home and smart city, Food Processors, Robotics (IR4.0), etc.

Those interested to enroll in the course may acquire the curriculum from the School of Engineering and Architecture department. They can be contacted through email ([email protected]) or Twitter (@ADDU_SEA).

AB Development Studies

To extend quality service to Mindanao, AdDU is also offering Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies, a 4-year hybrid social science degree program, partnered with the Sociology department.

According to the course’s rationale, the program seeks to expose students to different development issues, concerns, debates, and policy developments, especially in the Mindanao context.

Development Studies will engage students in Philippine development realities through community or institutional immersion programs.

The course also aims to prepare the students to participate in development works and research that seek to systematically address different social realities such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality, ethnic relations, migration, and internal displacement, among others.

Its goal is to enhance the students in addressing social issues through research and works.

“My training in Development Studies allowed me to work beyond the academe as a lead researcher or technical consultant of different development researches in the areas of reproductive health, culture-sensitive healthcare, mining, and community development funded by various development organizations such as USAID, UNFPA, and UNICEF,” Development Studies Coordinator, Dr. Efren John Sabado said in a tweet posted by Social Sciences cluster.

The course’s curriculum will take eight semesters to complete.

Graduates of the program may pursue career opportunities in development organizations, civil services, the academe, non-government works, and consultancy positions in development research and development work.

For inquiries on Development Studies, Dr. Efren John Sabado can be contacted through email ([email protected]).