Courtesy Visit and Exploratory Meeting of the EMA, PUP, and DLSU with the European Union Delegation (EUD) in the Philippines

On August 11, 2025, Erasmus Mundus Students & Alumni Association (EMA AISBL) Country Representative (CR) Philippines, together with delegates from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and De La Salle University (DLSU), conducted a courtesy visit and held an exploratory meeting with the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to the Philippines at the 30th Floor, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

The EU Delegation was cordially welcomed by Mr. Frédéric Grillet, First Secretary and

Political Officer for Political, Press and Information, along with Ms. Thelma Gecolea, Public

Affairs Officer. The high level representatives discussions centered on strengthening Erasmus National Focal Point (ENFP) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) cooperation in the fields of higher education, academic mobility, and capacity-building initiatives, with particular emphasis on the Erasmus+ programme and other EU-supported opportunities for institutional collaborations, partnerships and enhancing student engagements from HEIs in the EU-ASEAN and beyond.

PUP was represented by:

 Dir. Felicitas Trinidad, Director of the Office for International Affairs

 Dr. Christopher F. Sasot, Chief of the Office of International Affairs

 Mr. Nicky C. Cardenas, university representative and EMA country representative

DLSU was represented by:

 Dr. Jeane Peracullo, Assistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts

 Dr. Jeff Clyde G. Corpuz, Graduate School Program Coordinator

This high-level engagement reaffirms the shared commitment of the EU and Philippine higher education institutions to internationalization and academic collaboration.

Furthermore, under the visionary leadership of EMA President, Adv. Marvi Qazi, the Association is poised to become a transformative force in deepening EU–ASEAN partnerships and fostering impactful collaborations among higher education institutions across regions. Her strategic direction is expected to catalyze more inclusive, sustainable, and dynamic academic linkages, reinforcing EMA’s role as a key driver in global education diplomacy.

This meaningful dialogue marks an important step toward expanding global visibility of Erasmus Mundus Association though enhancing EU–Philippines relations and broader EU–ASEAN academic cooperation, with the ultimate goal of advancing mutual understanding, capacity building, and global knowledge exchange through higher education.

By: Mr. Nicky C. Cardenas, EMJMD-NOHA

EMA Country Representative for the Philippines