Dagupan City and Iwata City Forge Educational and Cultural Partnership

Dagupan City, Philippines — A landmark forum between Dagupan City and Iwata City, Japan, held this afternoon, signaled a promising future for educational and cultural exchange between the two cities. The event, hosted at the CSI Stadia Jimmy Lim Fernandez Center, showcased discussions aimed at strengthening ties and exploring collaborative opportunities in education, tourism, and cultural relations.

Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez warmly welcomed the delegation from Iwata City, led by Mayor Kusachi Hiroaki, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships in achieving educational and economic growth. “This partnership is a testament to Dagupan’s commitment to fostering global relationships that empower our youth and enhance our city’s development,” Mayor Fernandez said.

The forum focused on understanding the educational system of Iwata City and initiating potential student exchange programs. Delegates discussed establishing communication links between academic institutions to offer specialized courses, including programs in Physical Education, Sports Science, and other disciplines aligned with shared interests.

Representing Iwata City were esteemed officials from Shizuoka Sangyo University, including its President, Mr. Horikawa Tomohiro; Mr. Suzuki Takahiro, Section Chief of the Industrial Policy Division; Mr. Ohishi Shohei, Section Chief of the Economy and Tourism Division; Higashi Naomi, Assistant Manager of the Educational Affairs Division; and Saki Muramatsu, Staff of the Admission Division.

Dagupan’s academic sector was strongly represented by the University of Luzon, led by its President, Dr. Luis M. Samson Jr. Accompanying him were Dr. Aurora Samson-Reyna, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Carmelo John Vidal, Dean of Graduate Schools; Prof. Angel S. Reyna Jr., Director for International Relations; Mr. Luis Santiago B. Samson III, Director for Student Affairs; and Luis Angelo B. Samson IV, Executive Secretary to the President.

“This collaboration with Iwata City and Shizuoka Sangyo University underscores our shared vision for academic and cultural excellence. We aim to provide our students with transformative global experiences,” Dr. Samson Jr. remarked.

Mayor Kusachi Hiroaki echoed the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for deepening ties with Dagupan City. “This is a step forward in building bridges between our communities through education and culture,” he said.

The forum concluded on a high note, with both cities committing to exploring actionable steps to implement student exchanges and academic collaborations. The partnership promises to enrich both communities, empowering students and educators while strengthening cultural bonds.

The University of Luzon strongly supports this collaboration as it highlights a shared commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), fostering educational excellence and global partnerships for sustainable progress.

Mabuhay, City of Dagupan! Mabuhay, City of Iwata!

Watch the pre-recorded forum here