18 April 2024. Seoul - The Philippines, represented by the University of the Assumption of Pampanga, took part in a MOU signing ceremony and conference for the UNESCO University Twinning and Networking Mechanism (UNITWIN) on Capacity-Building for Sustainable Development held from 12-14 April 2024 in Seoul. The activity supported by the ROK Ministry of Education was organized by the UNESCO UNITWIN Program and Handong Global University - the ROK lead university designated by UNESCO. Aside from the PH the MOU signing was participated in by the University of Finance and Economics of Mongolia and Tribhuvan University of Nepal.

In their remarks, Director Mikyeong Shin of the ROK Ministry of Education and Dr. Dosoung Choi, President of Handong Global University thanked the universities from the Philippines, Mongolia, and Nepal for joining a growing academic network of higher education institutions committed to developing programs on social entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega, delivered congratulatory remarks and emphasized that cooperation among academic institutions is vital as the world works double time to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She added that the academic mission of capacity-building for a sustainable future may only be fully realized in an impactful manner by harnessing the expertise, strengths, best practices, and resources of educational institutions which embrace the spirit of cooperation and exchange.

After the MOU signing, a series of panels and workshops on joint projects within the UNITWIN program were discussed during the ensuing conference.

A delegation from the University of the Assumption led by its President Rev. Fr. Joselito Henson took part in the signing ceremony and conference. END