The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), or the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines, signed new partnerships with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) to expand educational opportunities, foster cultural exchange, and promote American excellence in higher education across Mindanao.
PAEF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MinDA to develop customized Fulbright scholarships for individuals from conflict-affected communities in Mindanao. Selected scholars will pursue advanced studies and professional development in the United States focused on energy and agriculture.
PAEF also signed an MoU with Ateneo de Davao University. The agreement officially designates ADDU as the host institution for a new exchange program called the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines (CSAP). CSAP will bring American students and faculty to the Philippines for cultural immersion and six-week academic courses in agriculture, rural development, engineering, and business.
“The Fulbright Program is not just a scholarship program in the Philippines—it is a cornerstone of post-war Philippine intellectual and leadership development, a symbol of the enduring U.S.–Philippine partnership, and still the single most important academic exchange mechanism between the two countries after more than 75 years,” PAEF Chairperson and U.S. Embassy Counselor for Public Affairs Jessica Simon said.
“This signing is more than a ceremonial act—it is a bold step toward empowering the people of Mindanao. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, MinDA and the Fulbright Commission reaffirm a shared conviction: that education is the most powerful engine of peace, progress, and prosperity,” MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said.
“The CSAP aligns with the University’s mission to advance research, innovation, and the formation of graduates committed to service and leadership. ADDU is proud to support inclusive peace and development in Mindanao through academic excellence and community outreach,” said ADDU Vice President for Higher Education Fr. Antonio Basilio, S.J.
Established on March 23, 1948, the Philippine-American Educational Foundation is a non-profit, binational organization sponsored by the U.S. and Philippine governments. It is the oldest continuously active Fulbright commission in the world and the oldest international scholarship in the Philippines. PAEF has awarded grants to more than 3,000 Filipinos and close to 1,000 Americans to pursue graduate degree study, teaching, and research in the Philippines and the United States.
