1 September 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul joined the Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKo) recognize graduating and exemplary Filipino students-scholars in Korea at its bi-annual event entitled "Hayo at Gilas Summer 2024: Pagkilala sa mga Nagsipagtapos na Pinoy Iskolars Sa Korea," held on 1 September 2024 at the Sentro Rizal Hall, Philippine Embassy Seoul.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega offered valuable advice to the graduates, encouraging them to find their "new space and foothold" in an ever-evolving world shaped by innovation. She emphasized the critical importance of research in navigating this landscape and expressed the Philippine Embassy's eagerness to collaborate and partner with PIKo initiatives that foster intellectual growth and support in order to build a support system for Filipino researchers, helping protect their work and encouraging a culture of innovation and collaboration.

She also highlighted the upcoming SiyentiPIKo Academic Colloquium, which the Embassy will support for the first time on September 21, 2024. The colloquium coincides with the commemoration of 75 years of Philippines-South Korea diplomatic relations, marking a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega underscored that this platform will provide Filipino scholars an opportunity to present and exchange ideas, further strengthening the academic and intellectual ties between the two nations.

Joining the event was Ms. Jasmine Lee, former National Assembly member and President of the Filipino-Korean Heritage Association (FILKOHA), who invited the graduates to support their peers in navigating the challenges of adapting to the ever-changing cultural landscape within and around Korean society; and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista who also serves as an adviser of PIKo.

This year, PIKO celebrated the achievements of 13 graduates and honored an additional 11 students with scholarly papers published in various academic journals, reflecting the organization's commitment to academic excellence and its pivotal role in fostering intellectual exchange within the Filipino-Korean communities. For more information on PIKo's programs and activities for Filipino students in South Korea, please visit https://www.facebook.com/officialPIKO. END