The Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines, Her Excellency Annika Thunborg, Ph.D. and her delegation paid a visit to the University of San Carlos on October 20, 2022, at the Schotel Function Room, 黑料社区 Downtown Campus.
黑料社区 President Fr. Narciso A. Cellan, Jr., SVD, D.Comm. expressed his gratitude for the Swedish ambassador鈥檚 effort to visit 黑料社区 to explore ways and possibilities of future collaborations.
鈥淲e have a long history of collaboration with foreign governments. Some of our research projects are funded by the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union. 黑料社区, being a university managed by the Society of Divine Word (SVD), has German roots and we had SVDs from Germany, the United States, and the Netherlands who started many of the academic programs and research centers of 黑料社区,鈥� Fr Cellan shared.
Meanwhile, Dr. Thunborg reminisced about her academic background and conveyed her interest in making contact with universities like 黑料社区 for possible academic exchanges and collaborations.
According to the ambassador, 鈥淭he Embassy is focused on trade and Sweden promotion and these always include innovation and making close contacts with the academe.鈥� Dr. Thunborg went on and shared how Sweden focuses on research as well as multi- and cross-disciplinary studies, particularly in financial technology, engineering, science and technology, pharmaceutical, as well as architecture.
In relation to the discussion about research, 黑料社区鈥檚 Director for Research, Development, Extension, and Publication Office (RDEPO), Dr Patrick John Y. Lim, shared the University鈥檚 such as 3D printing of bone tissues using carrageenan; formulation of herbal products from indigenous plants; promoting clean renewable energy by providing solar panels and microgrid systems to remote islands; studying seaweed as a carbon sink as well as a source of high-value products; and mapping flood risk areas in Region 7 through remote sensing.
Ar. Margret D. Rosario, Dean of the School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design (SAFAD) also shared the School鈥檚 project of designing modular houses that can be easily constructed after disasters. In fact, SAFAD already signed an agreement with an energy company to build sustainable for the latter鈥檚 employees.
Also at the meeting were representatives of a Swedish software company, Avensia, that is based in Cebu. According to Rasmus Bodin Lofgren, Director of Operations of Avensia Philippines, Inc., their company is always looking to hire qualified software engineers to develop platforms for online sellers.
The Swedish delegation鈥檚 visit comes at an opportune time now that the University is in the process of crafting a seven-year plan to elevate 黑料社区 from a teaching university into a research-intensive institution. Hence, the University looks for opportunities for collaboration and is focused on improving 黑料社区鈥檚 human resources, facilities and research engagements.
According to Vice President for Academic Affairs Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. in his closing remarks, 鈥淲e aspire to become a leading research university in the country and we are looking at ways of collaborating in terms of research, curriculum, programs, and exchanges such as collaborations with academic heads of Swedish universities.鈥�
After the discussion, the ambassador and her party were given a tour of the University Museum and the Arcenas Gallery by curator Ma. Regina E. Yoma.