GOVPH

UP INKS MOU ON ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES WITH BUSAN UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES

19 January 2025, Busan - The University of the Philippines in Diliman represented by the College of Arts and Letters signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Academic and Cultural Exchanges with the Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) on 16 January 2025 at the BUFS Campus in Busan, Korea.

The UP Delegation was composed of College of Arts and Letters Dean Dr. Jimmuel Naval and Associate Deans Jovy Peregrino, Jose Wendell Capili, and Aura Abiera. Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega was on hand to deliver congratulatory remarks and witness the signing and exchange of the agreement.

The BUFS delegation was composed of University President Dr. Chang Soon Heung, Vice President Dr. Kwon Oh Kyoung, Dean for International Affairs Dr. Kwon Sun Hee, and Director of the BUFS Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies Dr. Dongyeob Kim.

In his remarks, Dr. Chang cited the longstanding relations between Korea and the Philippines cemented by the Philippines’ contribution to the Korean War effort in the 1950s and how BUFS looks forward to contributing to greater exchanges in keeping with the university’s vision as a global institution.

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega congratulated the UP and BUFS for reaching the agreement during the 75^th year anniversary of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations and reaffirmed the Embassy’s support for advancing Philippine Studies in Korea as well as more robust academic engagement between the two countries.

Dean Naval conveyed the warm wishes of the UP academic community and mentioned the many opportunities for academic and research exchanges under the MOU building on the past collaboration between UP and BUFS.

The MOU is a renewal and expansion of an earlier MOU between the UP College of Arts and Letters and BUFS which resulted in active exchanges, conferences, cultural programs, and student and professorial visits. With the recently signed MOU, the coverage will be much broader and envisions participation of other colleges in the UP Diliman System including in fields such as the social sciences.

That same week, the UP Delegation likewise visited the Philippine Embassy and discussed with Ambassador Dizon-de Vega further possible collaboration in line with the Embassy’s educational and cultural thrusts. END

Philippines Re-affirms Commitment to Active Parliamentary Engagement with ASEAN and Korea

16 January 2025, Seoul. Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega joined Ambassadors and representatives of other ASEAN Embassies in Seoul at a luncheon-meeting hosted by the Honorable Woo Won-Shik, Speaker of the Korean National Assembly on 15 January 2025 in Seoul.

The Presidents-designate of the ROK Parliamentary Friendship Groups (PFG) for Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia were likewise present. The President-designate for the PH-ROK PFG Rep. Kim Sung Won also attended the luncheon.

The gathering served as a venue to strengthen diplomatic ties, enhance collaboration, and discuss mutual priorities between the ASEAN member countries and ROK.

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega conveyed the appreciation of the Philippine Government to Speaker Woo and the National Assembly for the swift ratification of the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement in 2024 as well as their support for the Philippines-Korea Strategic Partnership, two major achievements during the commemorative year marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

The meeting underscored the importance of Korea’s partnership with ASEAN and reaffirmed ASEAN and Korea’s commitment to deepening relations under the umbrella of the ASEAN-ROK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership emphasizing shared values, mutual respect, and a collective vision for sustainable growth and peace in the region. END

Philippines Closes ASEAN Committee Chairmanship in Seoul with Turnover to Malaysia

Ambassador Dato’ Mohd Zamruni Khalid receives the ASEAN gavel from outgoing Chair of the ACS Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega. Below: The ASEAN Committee in Seoul start 2025 with a turnover of ACS Chairmanship from the Philippines to Malaysia. 

06 January 2025, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul capped off an active stint as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul (ACS) with a presentation of events and a turnover to the incoming ACS Chair, Malaysia, at a simple ceremony held on 02 January 2025 at the Philippine Embassy’s Sentro Rizal.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega presented a review of activities during the Philippine chairing of the ACS from July to December 2024. These included conferences on areas of ASEAN-ROK engagement such as in the Startup and Innovation sector, Intellectual Property Cooperation, and ASEAN-ROK Partnership; a business-related site tour of the Amore Pacific facilities in Osan; the inauguration of the ASEAN-Jeju Friendship Olle Trail; and the holding of the annual ASEAN Family Day, among others.

In passing on the chairmanship to Malaysian Ambassador His Excellency Dato’ Mohd Zamruni Khalid, Ambassador Dizon-de Vega acknowledged the support and active participation of all the ACS members in the different events during the Philippines’ chairmanship.

Ambassador Khalid thanked the Philippines for its efficient and active steering of the ACS in the last six months and outlined some possible ACS activities for the first half of 2025 including a forum on ASEAN matters, economic related site visits and meetings, and activities with ASEAN students in Korea.

ASEAN and Korea commemorated 35 years as Dialogue Partners last year and likewise elevated its relations to that of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the ASEAN Summit in 2024.

Present at the turnover activity were Ambassadors and representatives of the ASEAN member countries.END.