Ateneo welcomes Irish Ambassador to the Philippines

On 17 November 2023, the Irish Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Ambassador William John Carlos visited Ateneo de Manila University. His Excellency was accompanying visiting professor Brigid Laffan, Chancellor of the University of Limerick and Emeritus professor at Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute, who was delivering a special lecture on European Union relations for students of the School of Social Sciences' AB European Studies program.

As part of the visit, Ambassador Carlos and Prof Laffan paid a courtesy call on Ateneo de Manila University President Fr Roberty "Bobby" C Yap, SJ.

Accompanying His Eminence and Prof Laffan were Mr Brian McCrohan, Deputy Head of Mission, Ms Nicole Mempin, Assistant to the Ambassador; Ms Isabelle Calalang; and Ms Nicole Mempin.

Meanwhile, Fr Yap was accompanied by Ms Ma Cristina M Alikpala, Assistant Vice President for University Partnerships and Internationalization; Dr Jennifer Oreta, Coordinator, Ricardo Leong Hub for Global and Area Studies; Dr Cristina Bautista, Director, European Studies Program; Dr Manuel Enverga III, Faculty, European Studies Program, Dr Irwin Cruz, Faculty, European Studies Program; and Mr Javier Tionloc, Faculty, European Studies Program, and the moderator for Prof Laffan's lecture.

During the courtesy call, Fr Yap and Ambassador Carlos discussed possible avenues for cooperation and relationship-building between Ateneo and Irish universities.

In addition, they also discussed the similarities in the challenges to peace and order faced by both the Irish and Filipino people and how the latter learned a lot from the former's experiences – and how both can continue to learn from each other.

Following the courtesy call, the group proceeded to Faber Hall Room 302 where Prof Laffan conducted her special lecture.