The University of the Philippines Cebu had the honor of welcoming Ms. Eri Sakaguchi from Study in Japan ASEAN for a meaningful campus visit focused on expanding international academic opportunities and strengthening institutional partnerships with Japanese universities.
Joining the visit were Asst. Prof Palmy Tudtud, UP Cebu Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Atty. Suzeth Sinogaya, Japanese 10 Teacher at UP Cebu; Asst. Prof. Adrian Carredo, Coordinator of the UP Cebu Office of International Linkages (OIL); Dean Crina Tañongon of the College of Communication, Art, and Design (CCAD); and Dr. Gregg Lloren, Coordinator of the UP Cebu Communication Program – CCAD.
As part of the visit, tokens of appreciation and certificates were presented to Ms. Eri Sakaguchi, Atty. Suzeth Sinogaya, and Asst. Prof. Adrian Carredo in recognition of their invaluable efforts in advancing international linkages and academic exchange initiatives.
A key highlight of the meeting was the in-depth discussion on Study in Japan ASEAN’s initiatives, particularly in relation to scholarships such as the MEXT (Japanese Government) Scholarship. Ms. Eri shared pathways through which UP Cebu students can access reliable information on Japanese higher education institutions, scholarship opportunities, and application systems. The dialogue further explored the potential crafting of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to formalize partnerships, strengthen scholarship pipelines, and develop sustainable exchange and collaboration programs between UP Cebu and Japanese institutions.
The discussion also emphasized how UP Cebu can align its academic strengths with international opportunities. Notably, the Japanese 10 course offered under the Communication Program of CCAD was highlighted as part of UP Cebu’s commitment to foreign language education and intercultural communication. By integrating language learning with cultural literacy and global awareness, the university continues to prepare students for meaningful cross-cultural engagement and international academic mobility.
Ms. Eri likewise gathered valuable insights about UP Cebu’s academic programs, student initiatives, and institutional priorities to help identify areas where partnerships can be further strengthened and tailored to the needs of the university’s stakeholders.
This visit marks an important step in UP Cebu’s continuing efforts to expand global linkages, foster intercultural understanding, and open wider pathways for students and faculty to engage in international scholarship and collaboration.