Philippine studies to be offered in London School

MANILA, Philippines – The prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in the University of London and the Philippine embassy in London met to discuss the university’s plan to offer a program on Philippine studies, the first of its kind in the United Kingdom.

Ambassador Enrique Manalo met with Baroness Valerie Amos, director of the SOAS on Feb. 15 to discuss the plan.

Last month the SOAS started offering a Filipino (Tagalog) language course.

Manalo thanked Amos and her colleagues for their efforts to make Philippine studies accessible to SOAS and other UK students. — Pia Lee-Brago

“The proposed program on the study of the Philippines at SOAS is the first of its kind in the UK, and we view this progress as a clear indication of the growing interest among the British academic community and the general public in learning about Filipino culture,” Manalo said.

Amos formally endorsed the proposal to the Ambassador, saying that she looks forward to expanding collaborations between SOAS and the Philippines. 

Formerly the United Nations Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Amos was able to visit the Philippines on three occasions after the onslaught of typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

SOAS, a constituent college of the University of London, was founded in 1916 and is now the world’s leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its new director, Amos sat in the British cabinet as Secretary of State for International Development (DFID) and Leader of the House of Lords. She also served as UK High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Australia before joining the UN.

Manalo and Amos also noted the significance and timeliness of the partnership between the Embassy and SOAS, considering that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippine-British diplomatic relations and SOAS’s centenary (1916-2016).