The UP Asian Center continues to expand its global academic network through active student exchange programs with its three partner institutions established under existing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs): South China Normal University, University of Tehran, and University of Jordan. These partnerships open rich opportunities for students (particularly for Asian Center students specializing in Northeast and West Asia) to engage in cross-cultural learning, deepen their regional expertise, and gain valuable international experience.
With South China Normal University in China, student exchanges focus on fostering mutual understanding of Asian cultures, languages, and societies–key areas aligned with the Center’s mission to promote comprehensive Asian studies. Filipino students benefit from immersive exposure to Chinese academic environments, while Chinese students gain insights into Philippine and Southeast Asian contexts.
Similarly, the partnership with the University of Tehran in Iran invites students to explore the intersections of Middle Eastern and Asian Studies, broadening perspectives on historical, political, and cultural dynamics. Exchange participants engage in collaborative research, attend seminars, and partake in cultural activities that enrich their academic and personal growth.
Meanwhile, the collaboration with the University of Jordan offers a unique gateway for students to experience the Levantine world and its complex social fabrics. This exchange program enhances understanding of Arab societies and promotes dialogue between Filipino and Jordanian students, cultivating a network of future scholars and professionals attuned to global challenges.
These student exchange initiatives underscore the Asian Center’s commitment to nurturing globally aware scholars who are equipped to contribute meaningfully to regional and international discourses. By facilitating these academic journeys, the Center continues to uphold its role as a vibrant hub for intercultural exchange and intellectual collaboration. For details on how to take advantage of these student exchange opportunities, please contact Dr. Henelito A. Sevilla Jr., coordinator of the abovementioned institutional partnerships, and Dr. Jocelyn O. Celero, Assistant to the Dean for External and Cultural Affairs.
For inquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The UP Asian Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allows students to major in Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. It also offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. For an overview of these graduate programs, click here. As an area studies institution, the Asian Center also publishes Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, the latest issue of which can be downloaded at the journal's website. For other news and upcoming events at the Asian Center, click here.
