The University of San Agustin (USA) proudly announces the successful signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universitas Jayabaya, Indonesia, alongside the hosting of a dynamic Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, at the Universitas Jayabaya campus in Jakarta. This milestone represents not only a strengthened academic partnership but also a deepening of Philippines–Indonesia relations through education, research, and cultural exchange.
A distinguished delegation of twelve members from USA, led by Mr. John Paul P. Mondejar, Director of the International Relations Office, was warmly received by Prof. Ir. Herliati, M.T., Ph.D., Vice Rector I of Universitas Jayabaya, at the Rektorat Building’s Prof. Dr. Hj. Yuyun Moeslim Taher Seminar Room.
Themed “Cultural Diplomacy and Youth Engagement: Reimagining Southeast Asia’s Soft Power”, the FGD brought together faculty and students from both institutions to explore pressing regional issues and opportunities, including:
• The role of cultural diplomacy as a strategic tool of soft power in Southeast Asia;
• Harnessing the transformative potential of youth for cross-cultural collaboration and stronger regional identity;
• Facilitating the exchange of ideas, experiences, and initiatives among academics, students, and stakeholders; and
• Laying the groundwork for an enduring academic network between the two universities.
In his message, Director Mondejar emphasized that the signing of the MoU is “not merely ceremonial, but a statement that education knows no borders, and that learning is most powerful when it is open, collaborative, and global in scope.” He highlighted that the University of San Agustin, founded in 1904 as the first institution of higher learning in Western Visayas and the only Augustinian university in the Asia-Pacific, has long been committed to holistic education grounded in the Augustinian values of Caritas (love), Unitas (unity), and Veritas (truth).
“Through this partnership with Universitas Jayabaya, we are building a bridge that will open doors for joint research, faculty exchange, student mobility, and cultural immersion,” Director Mondejar added. “More importantly, it will enrich our students’ human experience—teaching them empathy, cultural intelligence, and global citizenship.”
Echoing this vision, Ms. Laila Indriyanti Fitria, M.Si., Communications Officer and Chair of the International Relations Department of Universitas Jayabaya, remarked that the FGD provided a robust platform to craft policy recommendations and youth-centered cultural diplomacy initiatives. She affirmed that the outcomes will not only reinforce international academic collaboration but also contribute tangible solutions to cultural diplomacy development in both nations.
Beyond institutional collaboration, the MoU also serves as a testament to the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Indonesia. Both countries share centuries of cultural and historical ties and, as ASEAN partners, continue to aspire for regional stability, growth, and cooperation. This partnership demonstrates how higher education can serve as a vital pillar in strengthening people-to-people relations across borders.
As the University of San Agustin looks to the future, this collaboration embodies its mission to form graduates who are competent, compassionate, and globally engaged—living out the Augustinian ideals of truth, unity, and love in a world that increasingly needs them.
