Dr. Francisca T. Uy

International Luminary Award in Civic Works

PAU Excellencia Global Academy Foundation, Inc. ,

Philippines

Founder/School President

Personal Highlights:

Doctor of Education graduate
Served 22 years with the Department of Education, 19 years as a college instructor; 5 years as a graduate school program professor; and 8 years as the principal of the ACT Bulacao Campus.
Founded PAU Excellencia Global Academy Foundation, Inc. in 2020.

Inspirational Success Story:

Education Behind Bars – Project Silangan

The education behind bars received the highest special award from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) given last August 4, 2025, at Nustar Resort and Casino Kawit Island, South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines. And just recently it received a distinct award in the local government of Toledo City as Garbo sa Toledo (Pride of Toledo) in the field of community service

This program is duly accredited by the Regional Accreditation Board (RAB) of BJMPRO–VII to conduct formal educational programs inside jail facilities. This partnership between the School founder and President, Dr. Francisca T. Uy and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) represents a shared commitment to rehabilitation through education.

At present, it provides free education to PDLs across several BJMP facilities, including BJMP Toledo City, BJMP Naga City, BJMP Carcar City, BJMP Bogo City, BJMP Tuburan, BJMP Medellin, BJMP Bantayan Island, and Balamban Municipal Jail. These facilities are located far from one another, yet the institution continues to serve them with dedication and consistency.

All educational services under this program are offered completely free of charge. The school shoulders the costs for qualified and competent teachers, logistical needs, and the production and delivery of printed learning modules. This is done purely in the name mission and that is to extend education to those who need it most and to fulfill its advocacy of inclusivity and social transformation.

Teachers assigned to the program travel long distances to reach the jail facilities, often overcoming difficult routes, weathers and schedules. Despite these challenges, their commitment remains unwavering. Each visit represents more than a teaching session it is a moment of connection, a message of hope, and a reaffirmation that education can indeed break barriers, rebuild lives, and transform even the most challenging environments into spaces of learning and redemption.

The Education Behind Bars program has proven to be a powerful and transformative initiative that demonstrates the institution’s unwavering commitment to inclusive and equitable education. The program’s effectiveness can be measured not only by the academic accomplishments of its participants but also by the profound changes it has brought to their personal lives, their families, and the community at large.

Since its implementation, the program has produced a number of graduates who have successfully reintegrated into society. Some of them are now gainfully employed, while others have even secured opportunities to work abroad. These success stories stand as living testimonies to the life-changing potential of education, especially when extended to those who are often marginalized and forgotten. Families of these former Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) have returned to the school to personally express their gratitude, acknowledging how the program served as a turning point in their loved ones’ lives. For many of them, the Education Behind Bars initiative did not just provide a second chance but it restored dignity, rekindled hope, and rebuilt relationships that were once lost.

The emotional and psychological impact of the program is equally significant. Many PDLs have openly shared that before joining the educational sessions, they felt completely abandoned by the outside world. Some had no family members visiting them, while others had lost contact with their loved ones for years. Being in confinement often led to feelings of isolation, guilt, and hopelessness. However, through the regular classes even if it is only once a week face to face interactions with teachers, they began to feel human again. The presence of educators who patiently teach them every week gives them a renewed sense of belonging and purpose. They feel seen, valued, and respected, and this is something that is often rare within the confines of a jail facility.

In many heartfelt testimonies, PDLs have shared that attending classes helps them momentarily forget their pain and worries. Learning new lessons, completing modules, and engaging in discussions keep their minds active and focused on something positive. The academic environment inside the facility becomes a safe and productive space that replaces boredom and despair with inspiration and motivation.

The program has also strengthened the partnership between our institution and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Through continuous coordination, both institutions have established a system that ensures security, accountability, and smooth implementation of academic activities. The school’s adherence to BJMP’s Service Provider Accreditation policies demonstrates its professionalism and respect for institutional protocols. Moreover, this collaboration highlights a shared vision to transform detention facilities into places of learning and hope rather than mere confinement.

Evidence of Works: