THE ATENEO de Manila University will soon have a school of education and learning design through the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation.

ADMU President Roberto Yap said the new component school will be named Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design.

“This naming is in recognition of the extraordinary donation from the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation to establish the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Endowment for Educational Innovation,” Yap said.

GBF chairman Lance Gokongwei said the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation was established with the goal of having a lasting impact in education, giving priority to STEM education and educators’ professional development.

“We believe that this endowment and strategic partnership with a trusted institution like Ateneo allows us to become a meaningful contributor towards helping transform Philippine education to meet the challenges of a continuously evolving world,” Gokongwei said.

Ateneo said the endowment will be used to push three strategic goals — capacity building, knowledge building, and influence/network building.

“The first goal focuses on high-quality teacher education, teacher training, and leadership development, particularly in STEM, literacy, critical thinking, and Catholic education, as well as through linkages with selected teacher education institutions,” ADMU said.

The second is for research, particularly to aid educational policy and improve pedagogies and educational systems.

The last goal covers strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government, and the private sector on issues in Philippine educational reform.

“The Endowment also provides for the establishment of the Lily Gokongwei Ngochua Leadership Academy, under GBSEALD. The Academy will be offering leadership development programs for educational leaders, such as principals, particularly those in the public education sector,” the school said.