27 August 2014 – In recognition ceremonies held at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on August 17, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez called upon Filipino students who just completed their graduate school degrees in Korean universities to offer their newly acquired skills and knowledge to the service of their country.

“As privileged citizens of our Republic at this crucial stage of our development, you are all in a better position than most of our countrymen as we face the future together as a nation. I call upon all of you to reflect upon what you can offer, directly or indirectly, as a graduate of a Korean institution of higher learning to the Philippines,” he told the new Filipino graduates.

“Our country needs you more than ever,” stressed Ambassador Hernandez. “Let the early results of the efforts of our government serve as an inspiration for you to give back in one way or another to our people and help contribute to our national aspiration of achieving inclusive growth and development sooner rather than later.”

The ceremonies, called “Hayo PIKO: Pagkilala sa mga Nagsipag tapos na mga Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea,” was the fifth such gathering hosted by the Embassy for the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) since the first was started in August 2012, according to PIKO President Ronel Laranjo, an MA student in linguistics at Korea University.

Representing the 12 Masters and PhD graduates, Azyleah C. Abinomade made a 20-minute presentation in Filipino language on the impact of land use change on the Marikina sub-watershed. Abino, who obtained an MS in Forest Resources at Kongju National University, is expected to return to her work in the Laguna Lake Development Authority in September.

Ambassador Hernandez called Hayo PIKO a tradition worth continuing since the parents and family of most of the graduates could not make the trip to Korea from the Philippines to attend their graduation ceremonies at their respective universities.

“It is with that thought in mind that I stand here today, not just as Ambassador but – more important for this occasion – also as an honorary parent for those of you who undertook and accomplished this academic milestone for the most part alone,” he said.

One student whose mother and brother did make the trip was Ma. Angelika Katrina P. Linga, who finished her MA in Public Policy and Leadership at the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul in the prestigious private institution Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan City. She did a four-month internship in Sangju City Hall in North Gyeongsang Province.

First Secretary and Consul Deric C. Atienza, the Embassy’s education officer, reminded the newly minted specialists of the need to work together and maintain solidarity even after graduation in order to full take advantage in their long careers ahead of the human networks, knowledge and skills obtained from a relatively short sojourn in Korea.

There are an estimated 600 Filipino students in exchange, undergraduate and graduate programs in around 40 universities in Korea.  While exact figures are not available, there are more Filipino students who receive university- and professor-sponsored scholarships than those who receive fuller subsidies under the Korean Government Scholarship Program.

While PIKO maintains an alumni network, Filipino graduates of Korean universities have yet to establish a formal alumni association. END