PH Ambassador Hosts Roundtable Discussion on “Philippine Studies in Sweden: Current Initiatives and Future Directions

Photo (from left) Prof. Stefan Amirell (Linnaeus University), Dr. Birgit-Tremml-Werner (Stockholm University), Ambassador Maria Lumen Isleta, Dr. Ariel Lopez (Asian Centre of UP Diliman), and Dr. Nadi Tofighian (Linnaeus University)

SWEDEN 01 July 2024 — Philippine Ambassador to Sweden Maria Lumen B. Isleta hosted a roundtable discussion entitled “Philippine Studies in Sweden: Current Initiatives and Future Directions”, on 04 May 2024 (Saturday), at the Philippine Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. 

The event was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Ariel Lopez of the Asian Centre of UP Diliman and a visiting researcher at Linnaeus University in Växjö, Sweden. The objective of the roundtable discussion is to (1) share their views and opinions on the level of knowledge that Swedes and other foreigners have with respect to the Philippines; and (2) discuss ways and activities to further enrich Philippines-Sweden relations through the promotion of trade, tourism as well as productive collaborations on Philippine Studies in Sweden.

During her welcome remarks, Ambassador Isleta highlighted the activities of the Embassy in exploring cooperation in higher education, including through meetings with the University of Umeå, Luleå University of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, and the University of Gothenburg. She also noted the increasing number of PH students in Sweden, particularly those able to secure scholarships through the Swedish Institute as well those who attend the World Maritime University (a UN institution) in Malmö. 

The discussions were led by Dr. Lopez , Dr. Birgit-Tremml-Werner (Stockholm University), Prof. Stefan Amirell (Linnaeus University), and Dr. Nadi Tofighian (Linnaeus University) and 17 other Filipino and foreign PhD and Masteral students, professors, researchers, members of the key PH community organizations in Sweden, and embassy personnel. END

Ambassador Isleta together with the participants of the Roundtable Discussion