Roberto Yap Explained

Roberto Yap
Order1:31st
Honorific-Prefix:The Very Reverend
Honorific Suffix:S.J., Ph.D.
Office1:President of the Ateneo de Manila University
Term Start1:August 1, 2020
Predecessor1:Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin
Office2:16th President of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
Term Start2:August 15, 2011
Term End2:July 31, 2020
Predecessor2:Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin
Successor2:Fr. Mars Tan
Birth Date:May 16, 1959
Birth Place:Cebu, Philippines
Alma Mater:Ateneo de Manila University (BA, STB)
The New School (MA)
Harvard University (MPP)
University College London (PhD)
Profession:Economist
Professor
Jesuit Priest

Roberto Chan Yap, S.J. known as "Father Bobby", is a Filipino economist and Jesuit who currently serves as the 31st president of the Ateneo de Manila University. He assumed office on August 1, 2020 and succeeded Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin. Prior to this, he was president of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.

Early life and education

Fr. Bobby was born in Cebu, Philippines, on May 16, 1959.[1] He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, cum laude, from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1980. He attended the New School for Social Research in New York, United States, graduating in 1988 with a Master of Arts degree in economics. He returned to the Ateneo de Manila to attend the Loyola School of Theology for a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree, receiving the degree in 1992, summa cum laude. He also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government of Harvard University in Cambridge, United States, and was conferred a Master of Public Policy degree in 1995. In 2002, he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from University College London.[2]

As a Jesuit

Fr. Bobby entered the Society of Jesus on May 30, 1982, and was ordained priest on March 14, 1992.[3]

As an educator

From 1980 to 1982, Fr. Bobby was an instructor at the Ateneo de Manila University High School. Since 2002, he has been an assistant professor at the Department of Economics of the Ateneo de Manila University, but is presently "on leave."[4]

In 2011, became president of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.[5] [6] He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Manila University, and the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.[7] [8] [9]

As a professional

Fr. Bobby served and still serves in different capacities in church, academe, and research centers.[10]

PositionTerm of Office Organization
President2020-presentAteneo de Manila University
President2011–2020Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
Province Treasurer2007–PresentPhilippine Province of the Society of Jesus
Assistant Professor (on leave)2007–PresentDepartment of Economics, Ateneo de Manila University
Research Associate2002-2011John J Carroll Institute on Church and Social Issues
Province Assistant for the Social Apostolate2004-2009Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus
Environmental Economist2004-2009Klima Climate Change Center, Manila Observatory
Acting Director1993Institute on Church and Social Issues
Acting Parish Priest1992Miraculous Medal Parish, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro
Project Director1988-1992Institute on Church and Social Issues
Instructor1980-1982Ateneo de Manila University High School

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fr. Roberto Yap will be XU's next president. 11 October 2010 . CDODev.com. 2014-05-12.
  2. Web site: The University President. Xavier University. 2014-05-12.
  3. Web site: Fr. Roberto Yap will be XU's next president. 11 October 2010 . CDODev.com. 2014-05-12.
  4. Web site: The University President. Xavier University. 2014-05-12.
  5. Web site: Cagayan de Oro's Xavier University has new president. 11 October 2010 . The Mindanao Examiner. 2014-05-12.
  6. Web site: Officers and Staff. AJCU-AP. 2014-05-12.
  7. Web site: Board of Trustees. Ateneo de Davao University. 2014-05-12. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140419155102/http://www.addu.edu.ph/administration/board-trustees. 2014-04-19.
  8. Web site: Board of Trustees. Ateneo de Manila University. 2014-05-12.
  9. Web site: School Officials. Ateneo de Zamboanga University. 2014-05-12. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220420/http://www.adzu.edu.ph/about-adzu/school-officials.html. 2014-05-12.
  10. Web site: The University President. Xavier University. 2014-05-12.