The Consulate General of Japan in Davao, in partnership with Mindanao State University-General Santos City (MSU-GSC) – Office of International Affairs and the Philippine Association of Japanese Government Scholars (PHILAJAMES) Mindanao Chapter, conducted an online seminar with the theme, “Forging Ahead Together for Peace and Development in Mindanao” as part of the celebration of its 100th Founding Anniversary of the Consulate of Japan in Davao. The event was held via Zoom and Facebook Live on March 2, 2021.
The seminar commenced with the Chancellor of MSU-GSC, Dr. Anshari P. Ali congratulating the centennial anniversary celebration in his opening remarks. Chancellor Ali cited numerous reasons why MSU and Mindanao are very much intertwined with Japan and its people, through its historical roots and contemporary contributions.
Topics on historical context of Japanese presence in Mindanao and the recent contributions of Japan in Mindanao were substantially tackled by various speakers: Dr. Anderson V. Villa, MSU-GSC’s Director for International Affairs, Dr. Maria Cynthia Barriga, Research Associate at Waseda University, Dr. Mario J. Ajuga, MSU-GSC Sociology Professor and MSUS Faculty Regent, Hon. Yoshiaki Miwa, Consul General of Japan in Davao, Dr. Ines Mallari, President of Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, and Ms. Mary Carl Butaya, Member of Philajames-Mindanao Chapter.
The online seminar was organized with the aim of greater understanding and promotion of various activities in the area of scholarship and cultural exchanges amongst the people of Mindanao.