15 June 2025, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, in collaboration with Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKo), successfully held a Roundtable Discussion on the Present and Future of Filipino Scholars in South Korea on 15 June 2025 at the Sentro Rizal Hall.

The event brought together at least 40 Filipino scholars, industry professionals, and representatives from government and non-government institutions across Korea in a focused dialogue to discuss challenges, share lived experiences, and explore future directions for Filipino international students.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of strengthening protection and support mechanisms for Filipino scholars in Korea, and underscored the value of the roundtable as a platform for surfacing key issues and identifying paths for advancement.

During the first session, scholars Mr. Justin Migo Dolot, Mr. Joon Shin Amangan, and Ms. Princess Rai discussed pressing concerns currently faced by Filipino scholars, including financial sustainability during their studies. The second session tackled the post-graduation transition of Filipino scholars. Panelists Ms. Dawn Patrice Naval, Ms. Janine Balbedina, and Mr. Kenn Arcenal highlighted challenges in entering the Korean labor market and transitioning to other long-term visa categories. Breakout sessions were also held, emphasizing the potential of engaging PIKo alumni and former scholars for mentorship, policy advocacy, and professional growth.

Later, Directors Bia Lee of the Foreigners in Korea Support Center and Katherine Corteza from the Itaewon Global Village Center also updated the participants on their efforts to advocate for student welfare and support smoother employment transitions and deeper societal integration. Also in attendance during the event was Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, who also serves as PIKo’s Adviser. 

Moving forward, the Philippine Embassy will continue its close collaboration with PIKo and the broader Filipino student community. It remains committed to advocating for stronger institutional support and deeper policy dialogue to improve the academic and post-academic experiences of Filipino scholars in the Republic of Korea. END