12 November 2023, Busan - Filipino academics from top educational institutions in the Philippines took part in the International Conference on "The Political Economy of ASEAN Sub-Regions: Issues and Concerns" organized by the Busan University of Foreign Studies Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies (BUFS-KIAS) held from 10-12 November 2023 in Busan. A panel on developments in Philippine Studies was held with the support of the Philippine Embassy.

BUFS President Dr. Chang Soon Heung, and Dr. Kim Dong Yeob, Director of KIAS opened the conference. Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega delivered Keynote Remarks entitled "ASEAN and KASI: Towards Further ASEAN-ROK Strategic Engagement", emphasizing in her message that there are many key areas of convergence among Korea, ASEAN, and between the Philippines and Korea which could foster deeper engagement between Korea and the region.

Academics from the Philippines participated as panelists, moderators, and discussants in sessions on political-economy, cultural, academic, migration, and economic themes.

A three-book series on Filipino Language Learning was likewise launched during the conference opening. The book series is part of the "Advancing Philippine Studies" program at BUFS, a project between the university and the Philippine Embassy with the invaluable support of the Office of Philippine Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The book series is a collaborative effort of a team of Filipino language experts from the University of the Philippines composed of Prof. Jovy M. Peregrino, Prof. Ronel Laranjo, Prof. April Perez, Dr. Ma. Althea Enriquez, and BUFS contributors.

The Philippine Studies Program at BUFS has organized various programs including student exchanges to promote wider and deeper understanding of Philippine history, culture, people, language, and conditions in Korea. END