PH CONSULATE IN SF, UC BERKELEY AGREE TO PROMOTE PHILIPPINE STUDIES
(San Francisco PCG photo)
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, USA – In a historic first, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the Regents of the University of California (UC), Berkeley have agreed to advance Philippine Studies in the leading public university in the United States.
Consul General Neil Ferrer and UC Berkeley Vice Provost for Academic Planning & Senior International Officer Dr. Lisa Alvarez-Cohen, signed an agreement that will give the university a PHP 1 million Philippine Studies grant from the Philippine government, made possible through the congressional initiative of Philippine Senator Loren Legarda.
According to the agreement, “the University’s Philippine Studies Program will enable the conduct of academic exchanges, and will serve as a forum for Philippine-related research on relevant topics and as a venue for appropriate cultural activities,” with the objective of helping “spark interest for learning about the Philippines among U.S.-born Filipino Americans and Americans in general.”
“Specifically, this grant aims to support the University in promoting Philippine Studies by enhancing its Filipiniana materials, conducting research and publications about the Philippines, institutionalizing Philippine Studies as an area of study in the University, developing experts in Philippine Studies, among other programs, projects, and activities,” the agreement further states.
The agreement stipulates that UC Berkeley “will have full academic, strategic, and operational control over decisions related to the grant.”
In his message, Consul General Ferrer looks forward to a fruitful partnership with UC Berkeley, especially the university’s Center for Southeast Asia Studies and its Filipino chair Dr. Lisandro Claudio, “in strengthening the people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the United States, through the development of a Philippine Studies Program in one of the world’s best universities.”
Consul General Ferrer also expressed his sincerest gratitude to Senator Legarda, “who has long been championing the promotion of Philippine culture abroad through the establishment of Philippine Studies Programs in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning.”
Witnessing the grant agreement signing were Dr. Lok Siu, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Kairi Williams, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Administration and Compliance, and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil. END
Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil reads the message of Philippine Senator Loren Legarda, main proponent of the Philippine Studies Initiative. (San Francisco PCG photo)
(San Francisco PCG photo)
(San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Ferrer with UC Berkeley Center for Southeast Asia Studies Chair Dr. Lisandro Claudio (San Francisco PCG photo)