On July 18, 2013, Consul Cunanan met with LPU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Conrado E. Inigo Jr. to discuss the student and faculty exchange program between LPU and its partner university in Georgia, CU.

On the initiative of the Georgian Consulate, led by Consul Cunanan and Mr. Norman Camungol, Director of Business Development and Educational Cooperation, the two schools signed an Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 for cooperation in research and academic papers and the exchange and cross-enrolment of faculty and students. The MOU was the first convenant of its kind between a Philippine and Georgian university.

Consul Cunanan updated Dr. Inigo on developments, which included the consulate’s identification of a Manila-based strategic partner and sponsor who will generously provide the funds for the first batch of Georgian mass communication/journalism students to come to the Philippines. Under this arrangement, the airfare, accommodations, allowances, and on-the-job training of the Georgian students will be provided by the sponsor, who will attend classes in LPU, free-of charge.

Discussions are ongoing between the parties to determine the exact details of the students’ visit, along with a possible arrangement that will allow a Filipino faculty member of LPU to teach and do further studies in CU. Once the plan is finalized, all the parties will sign a project-specific Memorandum of Agreement.

Consul Cunanan, Mr. Camungol, and Dr Inigo agreed to extend their organizations’ full support to this endeavour—the first official student/faculty exchange between the Philippines and Georgia. They expect the signing of the MOA to take place in the next few months, with the actual deployment of personnel in January 2014.