Holy Name University launches new urban development learning program

(Left photo) University officials of HNU and GGU, together with local environmental planners, and USAID during the virtual launch of UDLP. (Right photo) Fr. Ruel Lero, President of HNU, expressed the university’s appreciation for the new urban learning development program.

Holy Name University (HNU) in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, launched its Urban Learning Development Program (UDLP), a new course offering which was developed in partnership with the Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on June 5, 2020.

The new program is called Executive Diploma in Urban and Regional Development. It is a 21-unit post-graduate diploma course covering at least three to four semesters. It includes subjects such as fundamentals and practice of urban and regional planning and development, research methods in planning, land use planning and development, planning analysis, urban plan implementation, natural resource use and development, and urban planning workshop.

“HNU is grateful and fortunate to pioneer this program in the southern part of the Philippines. We hope that through this program, we will be able to mentor and capacitate the planners for the development of the communities through strategic plans and directions,” said Fr. Ruel Lero, President of the Holy Name University, during his message.

Through the UDLP, national and local government agencies, professional planners, and private organizations are envisioned to work hand in hand to strengthen comprehensive integrated planning and decision-making for the city’s and Bohol province’s pressing challenges and issues. The program is also expected to contribute to the formation of a pool of capable professionals with a deep sense of social responsibility and cultural identity in urban and regional development.

HNU underwent a series of coaching sessions with Golden Gate University and USAID to design the UDLP. Although HNU did not have any academic program associated with urban development, the curriculum and resource mapping showed that that there are several subjects relevant to urban planning across its colleges and centers. A participatory approach was employed in the module creation, particularly on the components of clustered themes, module description, learning outcomes, methodology, content outline, and learning assessment tool.

“USAID is looking forward to a new generation of students, urban planners, architects, and local executives gain holistic knowledge in planning and transform urban development to create livable and resilient cities and communities,” said Ms. Marian Cruz-Navata, Urban Planning Specialist of USAID/Philippines.

“Golden Gate University is very pleased to support this initiative. Here in San Francisco, a lot of tech companies work with urban development professionals to build resilience, growth, and an accessible and socially just society. We are very happy to share this experience with the Philippines,” said Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez III, Chair of the Department of Public Administration and Executive MPA Program of the Golden Gate University.

HNU held a virtual ceremonial opening of classes for its new graduate program on August 8, 2020. Officials of USAID and Golden Gate University joined HNU in welcoming the pioneering class of 30 students.

In December 2019, HNU conferred an honorary Doctorate of Management in Human Resources to U. S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim in recognition of his valuable contribution to the development of the Bohol province.