Abdiel Franz Bernales

University of the Philippines (UP) ratified its partnership with Korea University (KU) due to its close-knit relationship with one of South Korea’s top three universities after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on January 20, 2025, at the Board of Regents Room, Quezon Hall in UP Diliman.  

Photo Courtesy of University of the Philippines.

The MOU aims to foster academic and educational cooperation between UP and KU through student, faculty, and researcher exchanges, collaborative research in artificial intelligence and sustainability, lectures and symposia, and the exchange of academic information and materials related to Korean studies.

Since then, the UP Asian Center has significantly fostered Korean Studies in the Philippines. They have collaborated with Korea University on various initiatives, including conferences, workshops, research projects, and faculty and student exchanges.

A clear indication is the establishment of an Integrated Data Center, which aims to support the Philippine government by adopting Korea's integrated information resource model and its technical and strategic expertise in data center operations.

"We are at the threshold of an exciting chapter in the partnership between the Philippines and Korea —one that promises to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and create a lasting impact for both nations. With the signing of the MOU last year, we will now begin implementing the program with three projects from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which will pave the way for significant advancements in our digital infrastructure," NEDA Undersecretary for Investment Programming Joseph Capuno said.

An example is the "Korea Studies Special Workshop: Multiple Connections Between the Philippines and the Korean Peninsula" held in 2022.

This event brought together Filipino and Korean scholars to present research and network.
KU President Dong-One Kim led the delegation, which was accompanied by Vice President for Development and External Affairs Hojung Shin, Vice President for International Affairs Sangkee Song, and Assistant Director for Development and External Affairs Seungwoo Ham. UP President Angelo Jimenez, members of the UP President's Advisory Council, and UP System officials welcomed the group.

In addition to signing the MOU, the university heads discussed pressing global issues, focusing on the climate crisis.

"We hope to share values, conduct research together, and create solutions to important global issues like climate change," Kim said. 
He also invited UP to participate in the Climate Corps Summer School on July 6 from 13 to Seoul, South Korea.

Jimenez reiterated his administration's commitment to prioritizing social development goals to achieve national development.

He highlighted UP's Sustainable Development Gardens project, describing it as "a laboratory of initiatives on sustainability," focusing on addressing hunger, providing education for all, and taking climate action.

Hosted by KU, the Climate Corps Summer School brings together higher education institutions worldwide to discuss and implement strategies to address the climate crisis.

This shows that UP and KU have a growing relationship, primarily focused on academic collaboration and research that could be beneficial.