CANBERRA, Australia – Philippines Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega received Australian National University professor Dr. Imelda Deinla to discuss updates on the Philippines Project, a policy-engaged initiative funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to stimulate research collaboration between academics and policymakers on the Philippines. Dr. Deinla is the Philippines Project director.

Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega (4th from left) met Australian National University (ANU) Philippines Project Director Dr. Imelda Deinla (3rd from left) on 01 February to discuss updates on the Philippines Project.

Dr. Deinla informed the Ambassador that new collaborative research grants have been awarded to be implemented this year and that preparations are being undertaken for the Philippines Conference to be held on 26 June 2019 in Manila. The Ambassador said, “The Philippines Project is a unique program that strengthens the research and policy collaboration of the Philippines and Australia. We thank DFAT for their investment on this initiative and we hope to step-up our engagement on academic cooperation. ANU is one of the top 50 universities in the world and we are very pleased that the Philippines Project was able to take-off in their campus.”

The Philippines Project, which began in 2016, implements several programs such as the annual Philippines Conference, Philippines forum series, visiting fellowships, collaborative research grants and publications that cover issues on trade, investment and intellectual property and law, justice and human rights. The Philippine Ambassador sits on the advisory board of the Philippines Project, which is housed at the School of Regulation and Global Governance of the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific. END