Ateneo Math welcomes MSU-IIT PhD students for university visit and academic forum

Twelve PhD students and their professor, Dr Douglas Salazar, from Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) paid an academic visit to Ateneo de Manila University last 18 June 2025. The purpose of the visit was to introduce the participants to the university’s academic environment and facilities.

In the afternoon, the group was welcomed by Dr Errol Matthew C Garcia, who accompanied them to the First Pacific Hall at the New Rizal Library for a guided tour of the Ateneo libraries. The group explored both the Old and New Rizal Libraries and gained an appreciation for the university’s learning spaces and archival resources.

After the library tour, the visitors made a quick stop at the A-Shop to check out Ateneo merchandise. They then enjoyed a brief snack break along the Red Brick Road before being picked up once again by Dr Garcia, who led a tour of the Science Education Complex A—home to the Department of Mathematics. During this segment of the visit, the group was shown the department’s facilities, classrooms, and faculty rooms.

The visit concluded with an academic forum, which provided an opportunity for scholarly interaction and conversation between the MSU-IIT visitors and members of the Ateneo academic community.

The forum began with an opening prayer led by Ms Jenn Bermejo, a PhD Mathematics Education student who is in her final stage of dissertation writing. This was followed by an introduction to the Ateneo de Manila University's PhD program in Mathematics Education, presented by its program coordinator, Dr Catherine P Vistro-Yu. She detailed the admission qualifications and highlighted the program's unique position under the Department of Mathematics within the School of Science and Engineering. Dr Vistro-Yu elaborated on the comprehensive coursework, which is categorized into Mathematics (MATH), Mathematics Education (MATHD), and Sociology (SOCIO), all of which are taken before students proceed to their research courses. Following this, Dr Romina Ann S Yap, the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Mathematics, delivered a warm welcome message to the visiting delegation.

The core of the academic forum was the sharing of experiences by current students and recent graduates of the Ateneo PhD in Mathematics Education program. Ms Shienna Marie Amorio, who is in her second year of PhD studies, began by recounting her journey through the program's coursework. She emphasized the value of her learnings in advanced mathematics courses such as combinatorics and problem-solving, the insights gained from Mathematics Education courses on the latest trends and problems in the field, and the depth that Sociology courses added to her understanding of research and its methodologies.

Mr Jimbo Juanito Villamor then discussed his progression through the research-focused phase of the program. He described "Research in Mathematics Education I" as a foundational course for exploring literature related to one's research interests. He then explained that "Research in Mathematics Education II" is dedicated to finalizing the dissertation proposal–a stage where he refined his topic to focus on the concepts of student agency and mathematical modeling in the context of environmental problems in his home province of Siargao. Finally, he touched upon "Research in Mathematics Education III," which involves the pilot study and the finalization of research instruments. Mr Villamor candidly noted that despite the challenges, the learning experiences were profoundly enjoyable and meaningful.

Providing insight into the final stages of the doctoral journey, Dr Vitus Paul De Jesus shared how he prepared for his final oral defense. He recounted the three days leading up to his defense, a period of intense focus where he read and reread his paper daily and worked closely with his adviser. He also spoke of the meticulous process of editing his presentation slides and the importance of prayer in this journey. While he initially planned to write a detailed script, he advised a more dynamic approach where the use of cue cards with key concepts and relying on a deep understanding of the research to explain it effectively.

To conclude the sharing session, Dr Mary Jane Castilla, the first graduate of the PhD in Mathematics Education program, offered her perspective on life after earning the degree. She highlighted the many opportunities, including collaborations with local and international experts, invitations to deliver talks, and roles as a panelist or judge for research-related events. Dr Castilla also shared her recent appointments as a member of the MATHTED National Board for 2025-2026 and as the Overall Chair for the upcoming MATHTED 2025: 15th Biennial and International Conference, to be held at the University of Santo Tomas from 16 to 18 October 2025.

An engaging question-and-answer portion followed, during which the MSU-IIT visitors shared that their program typically has a cohort of ten PhD students, with two expected to graduate in the coming year. In turn, the Ateneo PhD students briefly talked about their respective research interests. The formal program transitioned into a more informal networking session over snacks, allowing the students from both universities to share experiences, insights, and expertise, particularly among those with common research interests.

The productive and insightful academic visit concluded with a group photo, capturing the spirit of collaboration between the representatives of MSU-IIT and Ateneo de Manila University.