The University of the Philippines Cebu welcomed Yuliia Oleksandrivna Fediv, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Philippines, for a courtesy visit on November 3, 2026, at the Office of the Chancellor.
The visit follows Fediv’s earlier engagement with the UP System last June, where she met with the UP President Hon. Angelo Jimenez to discuss strengthening academic and cultural relations between Ukraine and the University. These efforts include opportunities for Ukrainian Studies in the Philippines, the development of Philippine Studies programs in Ukrainian universities, and other forms of institutional cooperation.
Representing UP Cebu during the courtesy visit were Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Asst. Prof. Palmy Marinel Tudtud, Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) CoordinatorAsst. Prof. Jay Nathan Jore and Office of International Linkages (OIL) Coordinator Asst. Prof. Adrian Francis Carredo.
The discussion explored potential collaborations in academic exchange and cultural programming, including opportunities to bring Ukrainian scholars, artists, and performers to the University for lectures, exhibitions, and other activities. Participants also discussed ways to introduce the University’s students and the wider Cebuano community to Ukraine’s cultural heritage, particularly its fashion, history, and traditions.
These initiatives build on the Ukrainian Cultural Exhibit Roadshow, In My Beloved Ukraine: A Journey Through Culture and Identity, scheduled on November 10–12, 2026, at UP Diliman. Organized by the UP Office of the President and the Embassy of Ukraine in the Philippines, the roadshow features exhibitions, film screenings, and public lectures exploring Ukrainian art, history, and cultural identity amid the ongoing war.
Bringing similar cultural programming to UP Cebu would extend these opportunities for engagement to audiences in Cebu and the wider Visayas region, allowing more Filipinos outside Metro Manila to learn about Ukraine through its own cultural narratives and perspectives. Beyond its experience of war, Ukraine has a rich cultural heritage and history that merits greater recognition and understanding.
UP Cebu expressed openness to pursuing these partnerships, building on its previous international engagements with institutions and embassies. Both parties looked forward to exploring possible collaborations in 2027, with the aim of broadening academic exchange and strengthening cultural ties between the Philippines and Ukraine.