With a keen interest in Our Lady of Fatima University’s Junior High School and Elementary programs, the Pyeongtaek Office of Education of South Korea paid an official visit to OLFU on 2 December 2025 at the Valenzuela City Campus, marking a significant milestone in strengthening international academic and cultural collaboration between the two institutions.
The visit focused on exploring potential partnerships in basic education, particularly in student exchange initiatives and curriculum enrichment for elementary and junior high school learners.
The Korean delegation was led by Yun Ki Kim, Superintendent of the Pyeongtaek Office of Education, together with Young Ki Kim, Director of the Department of Education, and Hyeyoung Son, Supervisor of the Pyeongtaek Office of Education.
They were formally welcomed by OLFU officials headed by Dr. Heracleo Lagrada, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Rafael Vicente Enriquez, Vice President for Technological Development and Administrator of the Basic Education Department, along with principals from OLFU’s Basic Education Department (BED) across the Valenzuela City, Quezon City, and Pampanga campuses.
A formal program was held at the Executive Conference Room of the OLFU RISE Tower, featuring a substantive exchange of perspectives on the education systems of the Philippines and South Korea.
Dr. Lagrada shared an overview of OLFU’s academic landscape, while the Korean delegation introduced the Pyeongtaek Office of Education, highlighting its basic statistics, foundational disciplines across basic education levels, the integration and emphasis of ethics in learning, and key national education policies.
As the local administrative authority for public education in Pyeongtaek City, the Pyeongtaek Office of Education oversees and supports 242 schools, ensuring the effective implementation of national education policies and the delivery of quality learning across the city.
In an interview, Superintendent Kim underscored the importance of expanding international partnerships in education, noting the need for students to gain meaningful exposure to other countries and cultures in an increasingly interconnected global environment. He expressed hope that such initiatives would strengthen learners’ language proficiency, cultural competence, and leadership capabilities, enabling them to become future global leaders.
Explaining the selection of the Philippines as a partner, Kim cited geographic proximity in terms of time zone, the longstanding historical ties between the two nations during the Korean War, and the strong English language proficiency of Filipinos as key factors supporting closer academic collaboration.
Kim further emphasized his aspiration for the partnership to extend beyond a single engagement, expressing confidence in the development of a sustainable and long-term relationship. He noted the potential establishment of exchange programs that would involve not only high school students but also elementary learners from OLFU and schools under the Pyeongtaek Office of Education.
During his presentation, Kim also shared the Korean educational philosophy of Hongik Ingan, which translates to “widely benefit humanity” or humanitarianism, describing it as the guiding principle underpinning Korea’s education system, public policy, and society.
As part of the official visit, the Korean delegation also toured OLFU’s state-of-the-art RISE Tower facilities, where they commended the Basic Education Department’s iAhead Program. The initiative provides BED students with hands-on learning experiences through immersion in OLFU’s bachelor-level facilities, helping learners better envision and prepare for their future academic and career pathways.
The delegates also visited the OLFU BED Building, led by Principal Barry Dio, where they experienced Filipino hospitality through interactions with students and faculty, highlighted by cultural presentations and a K-pop cover showcase performed by BED students.
The visit concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing the partnership and marking a milestone in advancing academic and cultural exchange between OLFU and the Pyeongtaek Office of Education.
Story by Raymond Lumagsao
