An agreement between the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and Ruhr University Bochum creating a Philippine studies program was signed on 15 October 2019 in Bochum, Germany.
Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, a staunch advocate of Philippine culture and principal sponsor of the project, witnessed the signing of the agreement by Consul General Evelyn D. Austria Garcia and Prof. Axel Scholmerich, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). After the ceremony, Deputy Speaker Legarda delivered a lecture on Philippine textile tradition to students of Ruhr University. She also visited an exhibition of Philippine ethnographic objects at the University’s exhibition area at the GA Building and participated in a roundtable discussion with University professors from different faculties with interests in the Philippines.
The agreement involves the donation of t-5,000,000 (or approximately EUR83,000) to support academic and research activities on Philippine matters, and the creation of a center that would serve as a hub for Philippine-related projects.
Ruhr University\ is one of Germany’s leading universities. It is expected to conduct courses, seminars, lectures, conferences and other activities concerning the Philippines, coordinate academic research and teaching about the Philippines, and organize research visits for scholars in the Philippines and vice-versa. RUB will also enhance its acquisition of Philippine books, journals and other publications for the University’s library.
Consul General Austria-Garcia applauded the significant support of Deputy Speaker Legarda for the project and expressed appreciation to RUB officials for their deep interest in the study of the Philippines.
‘We deeply appreciate the invaluable support of Deputy Speaker Legarda as we embark on this academic collaboration between the Consulate and RUB. We also appreciate the deep interest and commitment of officials and professors to advance Philippine studies at Ruhr University. It is my hope that this project will enhance greater understanding of the Philippines, strengthen cultural ties and people-to-people relations between our countries,” Consul General Austria-Garcia said.
Rector Prof. Scholmerich stated that the university “will do its best in implementing the programs and projects under the agreement” and expressed hope that the project would the start fruitful collaboration between the two sides.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Prof. Dr Kornelia Freitag, Vice Rector of RUB, Ms. Monika Sprung, Director for International Affairs, Prof. Roger Friedlein, Vice Consul Fatima Mejilla Mueller, and Ms. Sheree Mangunay-lnfante of the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda.
RUB, which is located on the southern hills of central Ruhr area Bochum and about three hours away from Frankfurt, was founded in 1962 as the first new public university in Germany after World War II. END