Consulate General Inks Donation Agreement with University of Michigan for PH Studies Program  

 Clockwise: Consul General J. Susana V. Paez (left) and University of Michigan’s Vice President for Development, Mr. Thomas Baird, signing the Deed of Donation for PH Studies Program; Consul General J. Susana V. Paez and Mr. Thomas Baird, showing the signed agreement to the audience; Consul General J. Susana V. Paez (center) with University of Michigan officials, headed by Mr. Thomas Baird (2nd from the right), and Consulate General officials (Photos from Chicago PCG, credits to the University of Michigan)

CHICAGO, 29 November 2022 – The Philippine Consulate General in Chicago (Chicago PCG) signed the Deed of Donation with the University of Michigan (U-M) for the PH Studies Program on 22 November 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Consul General J. Susana V. Paez, on behalf of the PH Government, and Mr. Thomas Baird, U-M’s Vice President for Development, signed the agreement.

Held at the University’s Hatcher Library, the ceremony was witnessed by Chicago PCG and U-M officials and representatives. The agreement is relative to the Philippine Government’s grant of Php 5 million to the U-M for PH-related research on relevant topics, the procurement of Filipiniana materials and the conduct of academic exchanges, among others, under the Congressional Initiative for PH Studies, championed by Senator Loren Legarda.

In her remarks, Consul General Paez mentioned that the grant will be able to assist the University in further enhancing PH-related programs offered by its Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) and also its library’s Philippines collection. She expressed

confidence that, like other University-grantees in different parts of the globe, the U-M will be successful in promoting a greater understanding of Philippine history, culture, and society among its students and other stakeholders.

Consul Melvin Almonguera read Senator Legarda’s message for the occasion, which gave a backgrounder on the PH Studies Program since 2017. The senator’s message also noted, “The Philippine Studies Program at the University of Michigan will highlight the relevance of the academe in enhancing our countries’ relations and opening opportunities for more collaboration in various fields,” while boosting the rich historical ties between the Philippines and the US.

In his closing remarks, U-M’s Mr. Thomas Baird reiterated the University’s appreciation for the donation, marking a new chapter of relations between the Philippine Government and the University. He pledged that, with the initiative, meaningful academic exchanges will be conducted with prestigious higher education institutions in the Philippines.

Promoting PH studies is not a novel undertaking for the U-M. Its CSEAS is reputed as one of the largest programs on Southeast Asian Studies in the US and its library’s Philippine collection is known as one of the most extensive in this part of the globe. Filipino public historian, academic, journalist, and author Professor Ambeth R. Ocampo will be the first Visiting Professor.

For more information, visit https://www.chicagopcg.dfa.gov.ph,   https://www.chicagopcg.com,   https://www.facebook.com/PHinChicago/,    https://twitter.com/PHinChicago   or https://www.instagram.com/phinchicago/.   END

Clockwise from top: Consul General J. Susana V. Paez (6th from the left) and the Consulate General contingent with Filipino faculty and staff of the University of Michigan; Consul General J. Susana V. Paez delivering her remarks; University of Michigan officials taking the Philippine Consulate General contingent on a tour of the campus;  Consul Melvin Almonguera reading Senator Loren Legarda’s message (photos from Chicago PCG, credits to University of Michigan)