Seoul, 11 May 2025 – University of the Philippines (UP) System President Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez, accompanied by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leo Cubillan, visited the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 11 May 2025 as part of efforts to expand UP’s global engagement and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders in South Korea. While in Korea, the UP officials took part in the APEC University Leaders’ Forum 2025: Leveraging AI in Higher Education to address Asia Pacific challenges on 13 May 2025 in Jeju Island, Korea.They likewise met with officials of Korea University in Seoul.

President Jimenez and VP Cubillan were welcomed by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, who briefed the delegation on the profile of Filipino students, scholars, and professionals currently based in Korea—including UP alumni and faculty involved in specialized sectors. The briefing also highlighted areas of mutual academic and research interest between the Philippines and South Korea.

President Jimenez later met with officers of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) Korea Chapter, where he underscored the importance of the UP alumni network in advancing the University’s institutional priorities. He encouraged alumni to actively contribute to UP’s efforts to enhance research capacity and promote international collaboration in priority fields such as STEM, nuclear science, and medicine.

Also in attendance during the visit were Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, Agriculture Attaché Lev Nikko Makalintal, Welfare Officer Cornelia DG Chanco, MWO-OIC Manolo Barotilla, and representatives of the DOT-Seoul office. 

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega reaffirmed the Embassy’s support for UP’s internationalization goals and expressed readiness to help facilitate future partnerships between UP and Korean institutions—particularly in areas of academic exchange, innovation, and alumni mobilization. END