A 5 Million Philippine Peso gift ($91,000.00) from the Republic of the Philippines will fund Philippine Studies efforts at the University of Michigan to fund course offerings, community lectures, and research support for faculty and students working in the Philippines.
On November 22, 2022, at a formal signing ceremony, the representatives from the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago led by Consul General Susana V. Paez, along with Consuls Ryan Francis D. Gener and Melvin C. Almonguera presented the gift to the University of Michigan officials from University Development, Tom Baird (vice president); College of Literature Science and the Arts (LSA), Anne Curzan (dean), University Library, Donna Hayward (dean), and Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Mike McGovern (director).
CSEAS is thankful for all of the time and energy by Librarian for Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, Fe Susan Go, in leading this endeavor. Both the International Institute’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies and the University of Michigan Library are recipients of the gift.
The University of Michigan, alongside New York University, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) - University College of London in the United Kingdom, York University in Canada, and Humboldt University in Germany received gifts supporting Philippine Studies supported by the office of Senator Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.
CSEAS Director Mike McGovern introduced the event and the importance of this gift to the Philippine Studies at the University of Michigan.
We have a rich history of Philippine Studies here at U-M, and the additional support being provided by the Philippine government will enable us to enhance our curriculum while, importantly, conserving important collections in our libraries, said McGovern.
Consul General Paez reiterated the importance of building a community amongst Filipinos in the Midwest and the endowment’s intention to promote a greater understanding of Philippine history, culture, and society among students and other stakeholders.
Dean Curzan and Dean Hayward also gave remarks about the importance of this gift and their excitement of its implementation.
This generous gift will allow the center to pursue a number of opportunities to promote Philippine Studies at the University of Michigan. Those opportunities include support for performing arts, a visiting scholar to teach Philippine history and culture, support for research or Filipino language studies, a Philippine studies workshop, and a Philippine studies lecture, in addition to the opportunities that will be available to the Library. And we get to pursue all of these wonderful activities in this academic year, said Dean Curzan.
The event culminated with a signing of the gift with Vice President Tom Baird and Consul General Paez.
Through the generosity of this gift, CSEAS is happy to announce that it will be bringing Ambeth Ocampo, a Filipino public historian, academic, cultural administrator, journalist, author, and independent curator, to teach two courses on the Philippines for the winter 2023 semester.
