PH-Japan educational ties strengthen 'Golden Age' relations — envoy
Japan underscored the significance of educational cooperation in strengthening the "Golden Age" of bilateral relations with the Philippines.
In a press release issued on Thursday, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya said a deeper educational partnership between Manila and Tokyo advances and strengthens their "Golden Age" of bilateral relations.
Kazuya also stressed that such collaboration could establish long-term trust and people-to-people connections, which will later support the nation's lasting diplomatic ties.
Japan is currently engaged in a number of educational partnerships with the Philippines including trainings, scholarship grants, and student exchanges.
Last year, the Department of Education (DepEd) partnered with a Japanese company in a bid to improve the math proficiency of public school learners.
The DepEd signed a memorandum of agreement with Japan-based firm Sprix, Inc. to provide public school students free access to the Test of Fundamental Skills (TOFAS).
According to DepEd, TOFAS allows teachers to assess students' calculation and problem-solving skills "accurately, providing valuable data to tailor instruction according to each student's needs."
To recall, Kazuya welcomed distinguished Japan Studies professors from the University of the Philippines (UP) in April, and De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in May to his residence in Makati City.
Among those who visited him include UP Asian Center Professor Dr. Matthew M. Santamaria, Associate Professor Dr. Jocelyn Celero, Assistant Professor Dr. Karl Ian U. Cheng Chua, retired professor and former Center for International Studies (CIS) director Dr. Cynthia Neri Zayas, and UP CIS Professor Dr. Amparo Adelina Umali III.
In a separate meeting, Kazuya also met with DLSU's Department of International Studies Professor Dr. Dennis Trinidad, Associate Professor Dr. Ron Bridget Vilog and ADMU's Japanese Studies Program, Assistant Professors Dr. Kristine Michelle L. Santos and Dr. Hiroko Nagai-Yabut.
Also on Thursday, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. flew to Osaka, Japan for a working visit.
Last April, Japan said the opening of its new visa processing center in Manila shows the deeper people-to-people relations between the Philippines and Japan. The event was hailed as an "indicator and proof" of the "Golden Age" of the two countries' relations. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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