In an effort to promote friendly and cooperative relationships, Cebu Normal University (CNU) welcomed Mr. Kevin Bricia, Volunteer Program Officer of the Philippine Office for the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), for a courtesy visit on 28 February 2024.

The visit aims to strengthen cultural ties and advocate the enduring friendship between the Philippines and South Korea, as CNU pursues the KOICA-World Friends Korea (WFK) Program. WFK is the overseas volunteer program of the South Korean government which creates mutual exchanges between Korea and developing countries. Since 1990, KOICA Philippines has dispatched about 700 volunteers to
partner institutions including academia, government units and agencies, and NGOs in regions of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Dr. Janet Mananay, the IZN Chair of the College of Teacher Education had also recently attended the KOICA World Friends Korea Program Orientation.

During the visit, she emphasized the need for a joint initiative that contributes to common prosperity as well as celebrate both cultures of the Philippines and South Korea.

For the WFK Program, CNU will request for three Korean Overseas Volunteers, one each with expertise on Special Education, Cooking, and International Development.

After the meeting, Mr. Bricia was taken on a campus tour, primarily exploring the SPEd Center, the Culinary Arts Laboratory, as well as the Office for Internationalization.