Asean, India youth leaders urged to help attain peace, prosperity

“In realizing the shared goals of the Asean and India, [it] is crucial that the youth, as our current and future leaders, could hone their skills and capabilities for them… to contribute to the advancement of peace and prosperity in the region and beyond,” Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn said in his virtual message during the opening ceremony of the fourth Asean-India Youth Summit last February 12.

With “Strengthening AseanIndia Partnership in the IndoPacific” as the theme, the secretary-general said the summit could serve as a platform for the 175 youth leaders “to exchange ideas and perspectives and other important issues facing our world today” during the four-day event.

“To our youth delegates: I would like to impress [upon] you…with your continued engagement and passion to make a difference. You have…a golden opportunity to make possible changes across Asia-Pacific, and of course across your regions,” Kao added.

He thanked the Indian government, particularly the city of Hyderabad and the Ministry of External Affairs, for hosting the

Asean-India Summit, in collaboration with India Foundation and Asean Foundation.

“I hope you will remember this event as [a life-changing experience that offers you a chance to contribute in bringing the Asean and Indian people’s governance] closer” the Asean official exhorted.

For his part, India Foundation director Maj. Gen. Dhruv Katoch hoped that through interaction, the youth leaders would forge bonds of friendship that “are indeed unbreakable” and “last a lifetime.”

India’s Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region G. Kishan Reddy said the summit could further explore cooperation in equipping the youth with skills and knowledge in emerging areas such as digital technology and the sustainability in economic relations, digital transformation, financial inclusion, climate change and environmental protection.

“[The Asean-India Youth Summit is a step to facilitate…further activities, sociocultural exchanges between the countries of this region to further strengthen the values of] tolerance, pluralism and diversity,” Reddy said in his keynote.

The young leaders in the fields of politics, media, think-tanks, education and science and technology discussed and brainstormed on improving various fronts that include good governing and regional development; entrepreneurship and skill development; digital partnerships for the 21st Century, Asean-India connectivity; and promotion of cultural and people-to-people ties.

Eight young leaders from the Philippines participated in the summit, who are seen to help create a shared vision for wider regional partnership across both security and economic issues.

They are Sangguniang Barangay member Eufelu Badiang Anino from Davao de Oro; Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson Jhansien Galvez Malapit from Cebu City; Mart Greggy Jones Callao

Embassy funds Phil. Studies program implementation at Belgium university

Aying of National Youth Commission’s Mental Health Youth Hub; SK chairperson Michael Christophe Racimo Agustin from Ilocos Norte; entrepreneur Trizia Ann Tingson Magalino; Krystyna Louise Dy and Mashan Bernice Espiritu of Stratbase; and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel Abellar.

Abellar, former National Union of Students of the Philippines president, said the summit will serve as an opportunity for them to discuss with fellow young leaders common issues affecting the youth in every nation.

“These…include education, digital connectivity, employment and others. The contingents are very diverse because [they came from nongovernment organizations], government and youth network. That kind of diversity can be a source of rich ideas from among the youth,” he shared.

Jelly Musico/PNA

Digital Learning Resources

On February 10 the Japanese government and the United Nations Children’s Fund Phils. turned over 50 tablets installed with Science and Math digital stories as well as apps to Valenzuela City. The donation was aimed to increase the ease of access for young school learners to the said subjects by using the early-grade digital learning resources developed together with the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Mathematics Education and Research. According to its embassy in Manila, the project forms part of Japan’s $2.5-million support to Unicef’s cross-sectoral pandemic response by way of protecting the most vulnerable children in the Philippines from a child-rights crisis caused by Covid-19.

Educators Speak

Shaping the global Filipino student for the future

By Dr. Bonifacio T. Doma Jr.

Executive Vice President, International Alliance & Cintana Partnership Executive Director, Mapúa University

RECENT global events are reshaping the nature of education in various ways. The pandemic has compelled academic institutions to rethink the role of technology in facilitating human connections that serve as the backbone of t eaching and learning, while the extent of globalization and ultraconnectivity urge them to reevaluate their programs to suit the demands of fast-evolving industries and markets.

The Philippines, in particular, is in a very unique global position. Because of its large expatriate population, many Filipinos are exposed to an international worldview and are primed to explore opportunities outside the country. Moreover, the Filipino diaspora has enabled the adoption of digital technologies to stay connected with families around the world.

As a result, there is a pressing need for the local Philippine educational system to adapt to a more global student experience to ensure that Filipinos can succeed in their chosen careers, no matter where in the world they decide to go.

Mapúa’s partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) is the first step in a long-term vision of creating a truly global education culture that incorporates an international digital focus while continuing to stay true to its core Filipino values.

O ur collaborative programs in business and health sciences reflect the quality of leading educational institutions across the world, centered on the core pillars of international linkages and opportunities, real-world experiential learning, and digital expertise.

H owever, it is equally important for us to acknowledge the distinct identity and situational experiences of Filipino students, and t he need to craft innovative programs that are uniquely Filipino in context. Finally, it is imperative to ensure that these programs are inclusive and accessible to every student nationwide.

Our partnership with ASU in these fields of study underscores this vision. From gaining a unique skill set that is up to par with t he demands of an ever-evolving labor market to developing a global sensibility that i s Filipino at its core, we aim to produce well-rounded global students ready to lead the future of the Philippines and the world.

Applied learning with int’l opportunities

IT is vital to note that the speed at which technologies are adapted have changed the future of work, as well as of education.

For the Filipino student to become a global leader, he must be prepared for a world of work that may not yet exist, and for careers that may no longer survive the next decade. Today’s students need to be adaptable and resilient, and universities must adopt a pragmatic approach to teaching.

Our collaborative programs, which bring together our combined technological expertise, will enable Filipino students to enter the w ork force with global acumen and a unique skill set that will produce effective leaders not only in the country, but across the world; enable them to pivot when needed and move between industries and jobs in the future with confidence and ease; and prepare them for the fluidity of roles and borders.

We combine innovation, real-world experience, and a focus on sustainability with case studies and situational problemsolving, exposing students to issues that they will face in the real world. We also offer Global Signature Courses that feature collaborations between two to three professors from different universities around the

PHILIPPINE Embassy in Brussels chargé d’affaires and consulgeneral Pablito A. Mendoza and cultural officer Liza Jane V. Estalilla met Prof. Annick Castiaux who is the rector of the University of Namur and Prof. Isabella Fontana who is the director of the university’s International Relations Office on January 18, as the two Filipino officials formally turned over a Deed of Donation amounting P5,000,000 from the Philippine government.

Said donation is for the implementation of the Philippine Studies program in the aforementioned Belgian learning institution starting June 30.

The University of Namur has divided the program into the following four major projects: 1) Lectures, seminars and international conferences; 2) The university’s Filipiniana collection enhancement; 3) Research and publication on Philippine history, culture, politics, society, Filipino-Belgian relations, Filipinos in Belgium, and Belgians in the Philippines; 4) Awards for the best Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts (MA) and/or PhD theses on the Philippines: one long-term and four short-term study grants for PhD/postdoctoral/researchers and students from the Philippines at the university.

Since 2000 the Belgian university has been engaged in collaborative projects with Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, Central Mindanao University, Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan, and the

University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod. These projects focused on research in environmental sustainability; land, water and coastal-area management; as well as community integration and knowledge in the government’s socioeconomic and environmental planning with exchange programs for teaching and research staff, MA, and PhD students.

During the meeting Prof. Castiaux gave an overview of the University of Namur and its 11 interdisciplinary institutes. She also proposed the conduct of a familiarization tour by embassy officials of the university’s library that contains ancient manuscripts from the university’s Jesuits founders, including other research and teaching facilities.

In response, Mendoza thanked the professors for the warm welcome, as he turned over two coffee-table books on the Philippines as additional resources for the university’s Filipiniana collection.

The consul-general and Estalilla likewise informed the university’s team of the wealth of opportunities and collaborative projects that the embassy and the university could look into under the Philippine Studies program.

The university is at the center of the lively and multicultural city of Namur, the capital city of Belgium’s Wallonia Region. The city is known for its 17th Century citadel built by the famous military architect Vauban.

Filipino narrative shines at Emirates LitFest 2023 with ‘Pinoy’ authors

world, and where students from different countries can work on projects and assignments together, exposing them to a global lear ning experience.

Finally, we provide our students access to internship opportunities abroad, and they can work with international faculties in numerous global signature courses and joint lecturing programs, further cementing their international exposure and experience.

Global Filipino leaders for a better future

IT is my view that future Filipino leaders need to learn within a globalized education ecosystem. Through the Mapúa partnership with ASU, Filipino students become part of a vast international network of universities that will enable them to enter the labor force with global acumen as they learn to communicate, collaborate and integrate with f ellow students from all over the world.

As we continue to shape the leaders of our country and the world, we are committed to providing Filipino students with t he necessary skills for the future, enabling them to build global networks, make real connections, and personally interact with peers from across the globe while staying true to their Filipino core.

ABU DHABI—Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates

(UAE) Alfonso A. Ver, on February 4, interacted with Filipino authors and artists at the annual Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature (Emirates LitFest), led by historian Ambeth Ocampo, award-winning novelist Dr. Miguel Syjuco, poet Danabelle Gutierrez, authors Angelo R. Lacuesta and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, as well as writer Budjette Tan and illustrator Kajo Baldisimo of comic book-turned-Netflix animated series “Trese.”

On its 15th year, the Emirates LitFest featured 10 Filipino authors— the largest Filipino contingent in its history—plus the abovementioned writers who held talks and interviews that shed light on their creative process, ways their works manifest their Filipino identity, and prospects writers face in introducing the next generation of “Pinoys” in diaspora to Philippine culture and identity.

Ver attended three thoughtprovoking sessions: Prof. Ocampo’s “Dirty Ice Cream, Banana Ketchup and Stinking Fish: Deliciously Filipino,” Tan and Kajo’s “ Tabi-Tabi Po:

Entering the World of Trese,” and Kwentong Filipino” with Gutierrez, Dr. Syjuco and Lacuesta.

“In my discussions with the…Filipino [authors and artist]…and having attended their talks today, I can say with confidence that the future of Philippine culture is in good, talented hands,” he said. “From Prof. Ambeth Ocampo’s thought-provoking historical insights, Dr. Syjuco’s novels featuring sociopolitical commentary, Ms. Gutierrez’ poetry reflecting her multicultural narrative, Ms. Mananquil-Trillo’s stories of empowerment, Messrs. Tan and Kajo’s focus on Filipino myths and folklore for their comics and animation, and Mr. Lacuesta’s ease of shift from screenplays to short stories and novels, the next generation of Filipino readers have a wide range of selection to choose from.”

The ambassador added: “I am proud of these authors’ commitment to their craft, and their desire to write distinctively Filipino stories that will also resonate universally. I hope the Filipino youth and our kababayans especially [those] here in the UAE— will be inspired to likewise create and write the Filipino narrative.”