As part of the Consular Immersion program of the Department of Foreign Affairs, its representatives paid a courtesy call on Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, President of Saint Louis University (SLU), at the Executive Boardroom of the Fr. Jose Burgos Administrative Center, SLU Main Campus on 1 August 2024.
“The main objective of this courtesy call is to be able to learn about the academic programs of Saint Louis University as part of our Consular Immersion. We are learning from different government and academic institutions so that we will be more familiar with the landscape of the different regions of the Philippines,” stated Royce Lyssah Malabonga, DFA Foreign Service Officer IV.
Fr. Gilbert, alongside Dr. Stephenie O. Busbus, Director of the Office of Global Relations and Alumni Affairs, commenced the meeting with a presentation of the diverse academic programs offered in SLU. They highlighted how the University caters to various international students and elaborated on SLU’s local and international linkages, including student internships, student and faculty mobility, collaborative researches, and partnerships with Erasmus + FRIENDS.
Fr. Gilbert and Dr. Busbus then expressed their hopes for expanding programs to further aid students, emphasizing that such initiatives are integral to SLU’s mission and identity.
In response, the DFA representatives discussed internship and training programs they offer, fostering a productive exchange of ideas and reinforced the commitment of both institutions to fostering global relations and educational opportunities in the light of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals). (Article by Rita Lopez, UIO Volunteer | Photos by CK Valeriano)
