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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider US expands Fulbright educational partnerships in Mindanao

US expands Fulbright educational partnerships in Mindanao

Published Nov 24, 2025 05:36 pm
Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) Chairperson and U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Jessica Simon (3rd from right), PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III, and MinDA Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro sign the MinDA-PAEF partnership in Davao City.
Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) Chairperson and U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Jessica Simon (3rd from right), PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III, and MinDA Deputy Executive Director and Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro sign the MinDA-PAEF partnership in Davao City.
The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines, has forged new partnerships with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) to broaden educational opportunities, deepen cultural exchange, and strengthen U.S.–Philippine academic collaboration across Mindanao.
Under a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MinDA, PAEF will establish tailored Fulbright scholarships for individuals from conflict-affected communities in Mindanao. These scholars will pursue advanced studies and professional development in the United States, with a focus on energy and agriculture—sectors critical to the region’s growth and stability.
A separate MoU with Ateneo de Davao University designates ADDU as the host institution for the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines (CSAP). This innovative program will welcome American students and faculty for cultural immersion and six-week academic courses in agriculture, rural development, engineering, and business, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) Director of the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Romulo Vince Bueza, ADDU Vice President for Higher Education Fr. Antonio Basilio, S.J., PAEF Chairperson and U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Jessica Simon, and PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III sign the PAEF-ADDU partnership in Davao City.
Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) Director of the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Romulo Vince Bueza, ADDU Vice President for Higher Education Fr. Antonio Basilio, S.J., PAEF Chairperson and U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Jessica Simon, and PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III sign the PAEF-ADDU partnership in Davao City.
“The Fulbright Program is not just a scholarship program in the Philippines—it is a cornerstone of post-war Philippine intellectual and leadership development, a symbol of the enduring U.S.–Philippine partnership, and still the single most important academic exchange mechanism between the two countries after more than 75 years,” said Jessica Simon, PAEF chairperson and U.S. Embassy counselor for Public Affairs.
“This signing is more than a ceremonial act—it is a bold step toward empowering the people of Mindanao. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, MinDA and the Fulbright Commission reaffirm a shared conviction: that education is the most powerful engine of peace, progress, and prosperity,” said Leo Tereso Magno, MinDA secretary.
“The CSAP aligns with the University’s mission to advance research, innovation, and the formation of graduates committed to service and leadership. ADDU is proud to support inclusive peace and development in Mindanao through academic excellence and community outreach,” said Fr. Antonio Basilio, S.J., ADDU vice president for higher education.
Founded on March 23, 1948, PAEF is a non-profit, binational organization jointly sponsored by the U.S. and Philippine governments. It is the world’s oldest continuously active Fulbright commission and the Philippines’ longest-running international scholarship program. To date, PAEF has awarded grants to more than 3,000 Filipinos and nearly 1,000 Americans for graduate study, teaching, and research in both countries.

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