York University received a historic donation of 5 million pesos from the Philippine government on November 2022. The first of its kind in Canada where a Canadian institution received funding directly from the Philippine government.
Studies of the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora in Canada are well known at York University. The Philippine Studies Group at York University, a division of the York Centre for Asian Research, will sponsor several projects throughout the course of the following year with complete academic autonomy and discretion over the activities’ objectives and outcomes.
Researchers and community organizations from Canada will participate in these, and academics, artists, activists, and journalists from the Philippines will engage in visits. Additionally, the funding will promote academic ties between Canada and the Philippines, expand the collection of research materials on the Philippines in the York libraries, and support faculty and student research in the country.
The Philippines’ direct financing commitment to York University is the first and only Canadian university to receive it for educational cooperation activities exclusively for Philippine initiatives programming. The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London and New York University in New York City are two other esteemed institutions it joins in this agreement from the Philippine government.
Helen Balderama, director, of global engagement programs & partnerships at York International, recently visited the Philippines as part of her business trip to Thailand for YorkU. “The Philippines is one of York University’s most important confidants as there is a thriving community of Filipinos in York University.” she shared during our simple get-together at Makati.
To ensure that the Philippines and its diaspora are fully represented in the university’s academic programming at York, the Philippine Studies Group is working toward a full range of undergraduate and graduate courses, language instruction, field trips, summer institutes, community collaborations, and cultural and artistic productions.
Some initiatives recently enacted are language studies subsidies and graduate student stipends which offer 4,500 CAD and 8000 CAD respectively to Canadian students engaging in Filipino research. An ongoing call for excellence in Philippine Studies/Filipinx Diaspora studies which offers numerous prizes is available until the end of May 2023.
The Philippine Studies program at York University bases its research on the idea of Pakikipagkapwa, which emphasizes respect for others and uses participatory methods for organizing, creating, and doing research. One of Canada’s largest centers for Filipino studies, the organization pledges to work on anti-racism, decolonization, social justice, and deeply diverse, and equitable programming. You may email philippinestudiesgroup@yorku.ca for any inquiries.
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Qjiel Mariano is the newest Good News Pilipinas columnist. The York University Global Health student was selected to join the Clinton Global Initiative Class, awarded the George H.W. Bush Inspiration Honors, and named Education Hero by Youth Service America.
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