DFA Partners with FAITH Colleges in Spreading ASEAN Awareness in Batangas
First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities Colleges’ Senior Vice President Maria Rosario B. Cesario and Director Aian A. Caringal of the Office of ASEAN Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs lead the ribbon cutting ceremony for the ASEAN exhibit. (DFA ASEAN photo)
BATANGAS 13 September 2018 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) partnered with First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (FAITH) Colleges in organizing several activities intended to raise ASEAN awareness among the students of FAITH Colleges and residents of Tanauan, Batangas.
Around 200 students, comprising Grades 11-12 and select college freshmen from FAITH, gathered to participate in a special lecture on ASEAN which focused on the organization’s benefits on youth and how it contributes to the ASEAN’s community-building.
The DFA, represented by Office of ASEAN Affairs Director Aian A. Caringal, shared an overview of ASEAN including its history, structure, and significant contributions to the region.
Director Caringal also discussed existing ASEAN cooperation on education such as ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangements, which aims to facilitate mobility of professionals and skilled labor within ASEAN through exchange of information and adoption of best practices on standards and qualifications.
He also cited the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework that enables comparisons of education qualifications across participating ASEAN member states for student and worker mobility, and the ASEAN University Network that allows students from accredited universities to cross-enroll for other courses in college.
Director Caringal commended the FAITH Colleges for contributing to the increase of ASEAN awareness in the Philippines, and providing platforms for the exchange of information and innovative and creative ideas among students.
The said lecture was one of the highlights of the week-long activities of FAITH Colleges’ 18th founding anniversary.
Other activities during the whole-day celebration included an ASEAN exhibit which was open for public viewing, an art-making contest with the theme “ASEAN: A Community of Opportunities,” an ASEAN food fair, and an ASEAN music repertory. END
FAITH Colleges officials and Director Aian A. Caringal of the Office of ASEAN Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs pose for a photo beside a main highlight of the ASEAN exhibit. (DFA ASEAN photo)
Director Aian A. Caringal presents an overview of ASEAN and its significant contributions to the region. (DFA ASEAN photo)
FAITH Colleges Executive Director Ambassador Rey Carandang, together with Director Aian A. Caringal, presents the award certificates to the winners of the arts-and-crafts contest. (DFA ASEAN photo)