DLSU Department of International Studies

11/05/2026

As we start a new term, let's explore the start of the 🇺🇸🗽🦅 Cold War 🇷🇺🐻☭. Watch this week's I Learned This in DIS - American Corner to know more!

09/05/2026

🌏 Security partnerships are not only shaped by states, but by the strategic practices and shared interests that sustain them over time.

The DIS congratulates Sharmaine Ysabel A. Fernando for receiving the undergraduate Best Thesis Award for Term 2, A.Y. 2025–2026 for her work, “Behind the Curtains: The Rise of Middle Power Security Practices through Strategic Partnerships in Southeast Asia.”

Guided by thesis mentor Mr. Deryk Matthew N. Baladjay, the study examines how Japan, Australia, and India strengthen bilateral strategic partnerships with Southeast Asian states amid evolving regional security dynamics and ASEAN’s structural limitations.

We celebrate this outstanding contribution to the study of regional security, diplomacy, and strategic partnerships in Southeast Asia!

08/05/2026

The DLSU College of Liberal Arts shares the Executive Summary of its position paper on the Draft CHED Memorandum Order on the Reframed General Education Curriculum Component, formally approved by the Council of Chairs on May 7, 2026.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GzJqgkAGx/

07/05/2026

💻 Gird Your Loins, Practicum Season is Coming! 👠

The DIS will hold a Practicum Orientation on May 20 (Wednesday), from 1100-1200 via Zoom. The one-hour orientation is a requirement for students before enrolling in Practicum. Students who attended the orientation in previous terms may choose not to attend this orientation. But if you still have questions, clarifications, or concerns, you may register to attend.

Please register via the QR Code below or the link in the comments section.

Last day for registration is May 18, 2026.

That's all.

The Organization for American Studies
European Studies Association - ESA DLSU
Nihon Kenkyuu Kai - 日本研究会
DLSU Southeast Asian Studies Organization

05/05/2026

🇯🇵✨ Congratulations to Our Japan Foundation Scholars! ✨🇯🇵

It's off to Osaka for our AB–ISJ students, Robert Nigel Dolon and Roezekiel Mata, who have been selected as recipients of the Japanese-Language Program for Counterpart Japanese Learners (University Students) under the Japan Foundation for Fiscal Year 2025–2026. Nigel will join the Spring Session, while Roezekiel will participate in the Summer Session.

This prestigious program aims to strengthen Japanese language proficiency while deepening participants' understanding of Japanese society and culture, equipping them with global perspectives and intercultural competencies essential in today's interconnected world.

The DIS is proud of our ISJ students' achievements, and we wish you all the best as you represent DLSU DIS on the international stage. おめでとうございます!

02/05/2026

🌊From Sea to Strategy: DIS Faculty on Evolving Security Dynamics ⚙️

One of our junior faculty members, Mr. John Louis Benito, recently served as a reactor at a discussion hosted by the FEU Department of International Studies and FACTS Asia on China’s use of unmanned, hybrid, and unconventional maritime assets. Engaging with insights from Dr. Benjamin Blandin, Mr. Benito emphasized the growing importance of technology in strategic planning, particularly for the Armed Forces of the Philippines, underscoring the need to strengthen capabilities and interoperability across naval and other military domains.

Congratulations, Sir JL, a strong reminder of how the DIS faculty continue to contribute to timely and forward-looking conversations on regional security!

02/05/2026

✨🌏🏹 Op-ed alert. ✨🌏🏹

Check out this piece on the Revised AFP Modernization Program by our very own Mr. Miguel Galang for The Diplomat. As the situation in the Indo-Pacific becomes more challenging, the piece sheds light on the way the Philippines has been modernizing its military for the last decade, tracking its progress and highlighting its shortcomings.

Your DIS faculty actively lends their expertise to meaningful issues.

https://thediplomat.com/2026/05/manilas-piecemeal-military-modernization/?fbclid=IwdGRjcARipXRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeKvj325Kbv2--7hiIRxM31CvSCYQue9GPK5AzOfD-pegC4meoTYtJdd68ZjY_aem_c0OUreuTtkIchfExq8-AEA

For over 30 years, the Philippines has tried – and struggled – to bolster its defense capabilities. What went wrong?

30/04/2026

DIS Virtual Office is now open! 💻🌐

In line with the temporary closure of campus offices and the shift to online operations, the Department of International Studies will be operating a virtual office from April 28 until the end of May 2026 to continue assisting students, parents, and stakeholders.

🕗Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🔗Check the link in the comment section below

Kindly note that visitors will be placed in a virtual waiting room and assisted on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability may be affected by scheduled breaks, meetings, and official duties.

29/04/2026

🌏 DIS Alumna in Action: Strengthening PH–ROK Ties Through Diplomacy 🇵🇭🇰🇷

We proudly highlight Ms. Reisha Olavario, DIS alumna, who represented the Philippine Embassy in Seoul at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) Annual Diplomatic Panel. She emphasized the strong and evolving strategic partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, rooted in shared history and strengthened through cooperation in key sectors such as maritime affairs, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

A proud moment for the Department of International Studies as our alumni continue to champion Philippine diplomacy and contribute to meaningful global engagements. 👏✨

https://web.facebook.com/share/p/1Auqvu451M/

PH EMBASSY HIGHLIGHTS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP, VALUE OF DIPLOMACY AT KNDA ANNUAL PANEL
필리핀 대사관, 국립외교원 연례 패널 토론회서 전략적 파트너십 및 외교 중요성 강조

25 March 2026, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul participated in the Annual Diplomatic Panel of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) on 25 March 2026 at the DiploTown Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. The program gathered forty (40) diplomatic candidates of the KNDA and five (5) working-level diplomats from the Embassies of the Philippines, Guatemala, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, and Brazil. The KNDA panel convenes representatives of diplomatic missions in Seoul for an exchange on the practice of diplomacy and present the significance of their respective countries’ relations with the Republic of Korea to the newest cohort of Korean diplomats.

During the panel, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario underscored the vibrant and dynamic strategic partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, rooted in a shared history forged during the Korean War and further strengthened through future-oriented and expanding cooperation in maritime affairs, connectivity, critical minerals, agricultural modernization, clean energy, digital transformation, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence among others. The panel also highlighted the two countries’ shared commitment to a stable, prosperous, and sustainable Indo-Pacific region, anchored in democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and a rules-based international order.

The Philippine Embassy in Korea values its continued engagement with the KNDA as an opportunity to promote the enduring value of diplomacy, deepen understanding of Philippines-ROK strategic partnership, and engage new members of the Korean diplomatic corps. Such exchanges also allow the Philippines to highlight the strengths of Philippine diplomacy, including our rich history and leadership in ASEAN and the United Nations, and our strong consular and assistance-to-nationals program which remains a benchmark of public service for Filipinos overseas. END

28/04/2026

🏛️ From DIS to the UN: Representing the Philippines on the Global Stage 🌏

We proudly highlight Mr. Louie Dane C. Merced (AB-ISA), DIS alumnus, who recently spoke on behalf of the Philippines at the Interactive Dialogue on the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative. A proud moment for the DIS as our alumni contribute to shaping global governance and international policy discussions. 👏✨

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Df2neaqPT/

At the Interactive Dialogue on the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative, Third Secretary and Fifth Committee Expert Louie Dane C. Merced, speaking on behalf of the Philippines 🇵🇭, emphasized that while streamlining processes through the UN80 Initiative, UN activities must not be driven by cost-efficiency considerations alone, but also take into account the action points set in the Pact of the Future, in full consultation with Member States and aligned with Agenda 2030.

Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines

27/04/2026

In this week's I Learned This in DIS - American Corner, let's retrace our steps and explore the beginnings of American power.