Fulbright Philippines marks 78 years of academic exchange
Published Mar 30, 2026 11:49 am
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Fulbright U.S. Scholars
The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), which administers the Fulbright Program in the Philippines, marked its 78th anniversary on March 24 with a reception in Makati, highlighting its role in strengthening educational exchange between the Philippines and the United States.
Held at SPACE at One Ayala, the event gathered more than 300 guests, including government officials, alumni, scholars, and representatives from the business sector. Among those in attendance were First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Y. Robert Ewing, Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Christine Joy Cari, and Ayala Corporation President and CEO Cezar Consing.
The anniversary comes amid a milestone year for Philippine-U.S. relations. In 2026, both countries mark 80 years of diplomatic ties, alongside the 80th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program and the 250th founding anniversary of the United States.
In his remarks, Ewing emphasized the long-term impact of the program, which has supported more than 4,000 Filipino and American alumni over nearly eight decades.
“For 78 years, PAEF has supported generations of scholars and innovators… who have returned home to shape their societies. These individuals prove that enduring alliances are sustained by people-to-people connections,” he said.
He added that the Fulbright mission—rooted in academic freedom, innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge—reflects enduring American ideals, particularly as the United States marks 250 years of independence this year.
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., and PAEF Acting Honorary Chairperson Y. Robert Ewing (center) join Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) Board Members Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Dr. Arsenio Balisacan, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Raquel Solano, and U.S. Embassy Deputy Economic Counselor David Sequeira, together with PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III and U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs and PAEF Chairperson Jessica Simon, at the Fulbright Philippines 78th anniversary celebration on March 24 in Makati City.
The evening also underscored the growing role of the private sector in advancing educational exchange. Consing, a PAEF board member, highlighted how Fulbright scholars bring the kind of global exposure and leadership that industries increasingly require.
“Fulbright represents excellence, intellectual rigor, global exposure and impactful leadership—these are precisely the attributes that companies look for,” he said, noting that closer engagement between industry and academic exchange programs can help build a competitive workforce.
From the Philippine government’s perspective, Balisacan described academic exchange as a long-term investment rather than a short-term opportunity.
“Academic exchange is far more than a privilege or a fleeting opportunity—it is a strategic investment in human capital, institutional strength, and the country’s long-term development,” he said.
He noted that the Philippine government has doubled its annual contribution to PAEF, reflecting a stronger commitment to expanding access to merit-based opportunities and strengthening institutional capacity.
The presence of First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos underscored the level of support for the Fulbright Program and broader Philippine-U.S. cooperation in education and human capital development.
Established in 1948, PAEF is the longest-running Fulbright Commission in the world. Over the years, it has facilitated academic exchange through graduate studies, research, teaching, and professional development across a wide range of disciplines.
The foundation works in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and key Philippine agencies, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, and the Commission on Higher Education, along with other sectoral partners.
As it marks nearly eight decades of operation, PAEF is expanding its focus from scholarship administration to building broader, high-impact partnerships—reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of educational cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.