Calgary, 28 August 2023 – A Donation Agreement that will allow the University of Alberta (U of A) to offer a Philippine Studies Lectureship Program (PSLP) was signed on 25 August 2023 by Philippine Consul General to Calgary Zaldy Patron and Prof. Bill Flanagan, President and Vice Chancellor of U of A.

The Philippine Government, through Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, gave a funding of Two Million Pesos (P2M) to U of A for the introduction of the PSLP.

The Philippine Lecture Series will cover a wide range of subjects on the Philippines, such as national politics and economy, history, culture, language, and foreign policy.

"I am thankful to the University of Alberta for accepting our proposal to introduce a Philippine Studies Lectureship Program. Having this program in such a prestigious university will increase the Canadian public's awareness of the Philippines and further elevate the stature of the Philippines and the Filipino community," said Consul General Patron.

U of A is ranked no. 4 in Canada and 91^st in the world based on the 2023 ranking of the Academic Ranking of World University.

 

“This generous donation is great news for the University of Alberta,” said Prof. Flanagan, U of A’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “The Philippines is an important partner for our university and our country, so I’m glad we are continuing to strengthen our working relationship. I’m excited for the launch of the new lectureship series, which will help students and faculty learn more about the vibrant history and culture of the Philippines.”

In her video message at the signing ceremony, Senate President Pro Tempore Legarda said, “Today is the realization of our dreams of further strengthening our countries’ relations. For years, I have faithfully advocated for cultural diplomacy through education, and I am beyond grateful to the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary and the University of Alberta for your constant coordination in making this event a reality.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Legarda has allocated funds for the advancement of Philippine Studies in several universities outside the Philippines.

The list includes the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) London; Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany; Ruhr University in Bochum, Germany; University of Hamburg in Hamburg, Germany; Universidad de Complutense in Madrid, Spain; New York University; University of Michigan and the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the USA; the ISEAS Institute in Singapore; the Thammasat University in Thailand; Busan University of Foreign Studies in South Korea; La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia; York University in Canada; Universidad Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico; and the University of Namur in Belgium.

She has also supported the research on rediscovering Philippine material culture in German archives (Stuttgart, Cologne, Heidelberg). 

Consul General Zaldy Patron (seated, right) and University of Alberta President and Vice Chancellor Bill Flanagan (seated, left) together with university officials and Filipino-Canadian faculty members. Also joining the group was Vice Consul Vida Soraya Verzosa.

Witnessing the signing of the Donation Agreement at U of A were several university officials and three Filipino-Canadian faculty members.

Also present were four scholars of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) who are currently studying in U of A under the DOST-U of A Graduate Scholarship Program that the Philippine Consulate General also facilitated.