Delegates from the University of the Philippines Cebu’s Political Science and Public Affairs Program participated in the 28th International Political Science Association (IPSA) World Congress held last July 12 to 16, 2025, at the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center in Seoul, South Korea.
Co-organized by the Korean Political Science Association, this year’s IPSA Congress brought together leading scholars and researchers from across the globe under the theme, “Resisting Autocratization in Polarized Societies.” It sought to highlight global resistance to autocratization in polarized societies, fostering discussions on its links to human rights, civil liberties, inequality, governance, migration, digitalization, climate politics, and international cooperation. The conference was honored by the presence of Their Excellencies South Korea President Lee Jae Myung and former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
The UP Cebu delegation consisted of 13 newly minted graduates of the Political Science Program and six of its faculty members, joined by one administrative head. This is by far the biggest representation of UP Cebu in IPSA Congress, a testament to the University’s commitment to advance research, academic linkages, and the professional development of its constituents.
Aside from UP Cebu, Philippine delegates included representatives from UP Diliman, UP Mindanao, UP Manila, UP Visayas, and UP Tacloban College, as well as De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Mindanao State University (General Santos and Marawi), Bicol University, West Visayas State University, among others.