The Ateneo de Davao University is a premiere Filipino, Catholic and Jesuit University founded by the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus in 1948. It aims to establish a standard of excellence in academic and spiritual formation in various fields. The University single-mindedly aspires to champion a strong tradition of academic excellence and of greater service. It offers a comprehensive formation underscoring the holistic development of the person as an individual (mind and heart), and as a member of the human community. It labors to realize its mission of being "stronger in faith" (fortes-in-fide) in pursuit of God's ultimate plan. In the spirit of service, various schools, colleges, divisions and departments of the Ateneo community reach out to local communities and other institutions, living out its mission ad majorem Dei gloriam. Through its diverse formation activities and student-centered programs, the Ateneo helps form young men and women into "persons-for-others" (maging-tao-para-sa-kapwa).