FEU delegates together with other participants of the conference and Ambassador Evangelina Bernas. (Photo from IAS)
Far Eastern University (FEU), in another step toward internationalized academic collaboration, held scientific and bilateral meetings with the University of Zagreb in Croatia.
Underscoring the theme “Global Challenges and Opportunities: Interdisciplinary Perspectives from the Philippines and Croatia” the joint conference was held last Sept. 9, 2024, and attended by academics and practitioners from Croatia, and delegates from FEU. Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS) Associate Dean Francis Esteban presented his paper on Philippine foreign policy towards China, while International Studies (IS) Department Chair Agnes Silva and Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) Department Chair Roman Sarmiento presented their papers on Climate Change and the Vulnerabilities of Women in the Philippines and Migration Theories and Peopling of the Philippine Islands, respectively.
Deans Diego Jose Abad (IAS), John Anthony Yason (Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing), and Isaiah Israel Susi (Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts) took active part in a roundtable discussion on the cooperation and collaboration between the Philippines and Croatia from the perspective of the academe. The conference was graced with the presence of Philippine Ambassador to Austria (with jurisdiction over Croatia) Evangelina Bernas who gave a keynote lecture on “Foreign policy of the Philippines with indications of action in Europe and Croatia.”
Following the conference, the deans met with their respective counterparts at the University of Zagreb. Dean Abad and Associate Dean Esteban met with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dean Yason met with the School of Medicine, as well as with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, and with the Andrija Štampar School of Public Health. Dean Susi met with his counterparts at the Academy of Fine Arts, Faculty of Architecture, and with the Faculty of Textile Technology.
The meetings revolved around shared interests for cooperation centering on research, mobility, and joint programs, as well sharing of best practices from both academic institutions. Following the conference, the deans met with their respective counterparts at the University of Zagreb. Dean Abad and Associate Dean Esteban met with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dean Yason met with the School of Medicine, as well as with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, and with the Andrija Štampar School of Public Health.
Dean Susi met with his counterparts at the Academy of Fine Arts, Faculty of Architecture, and with the Faculty of Textile Technology. The meetings revolved around shared interests for cooperation centering on research, mobility, and joint programs, as well sharing of best practices from both academic institutions.
The visit was concluded with a courtesy meeting with the Rectorate of the University of Zagreb represented by the head of the International Relations Office. In the meeting, both academic institutions shared their mutual appreciation for the efforts put into advancing the partnership between them which started in 2023. The meeting ended with the University of Zagreb opening the possibility of accepting two FEU students for a full-term exchange program.
