Honolulu — University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa alumna and faculty member, Dr. Belinda Aquino, has established the Belinda A. Aquino International Philippine Studies endowment. This fund will promote and enhance academic and professional studies at UH Mānoa on the Philippines and Filipinos from an international, comparative, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspective.
Edward J. Shultz, dean, School of Pacific & Asian Studies said, "The endowment will encourage and support the study of diasporic and global issues affecting Philippine society and culture, and Filipino communities overseas." Shultz continued, "Filipinos are playing an increasingly important role in the state ofHawaiʻi and in other parts of the world. Demography tells us this role will only grow more important. We need our students and community to be at the cutting edge of this new wave and certainly the Aquino endowment will move us in this direction."
Belinda A. Aquino, (Ph.D. Cornell University, MA University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, BA University of the Philippines) is an internationally recognized expert on contemporary Philippine society, politics and culture. Currently she serves as a Professor Emeritus at the School of Pacific and Asian Studies where she was Professor of Political Science and Asian Studies, as well as longtime Director of the Center for Philippine Studies. As founding director of the Center for Philippine Studies, her intellectual leadership was instrumental in developing the Center as the leading institution in the United States for academic and comprehensive studies on Philippine society and culture.
Dr. Aquino shared, "Through this endowment, I hope to perpetuate an intellectual tradition of acquiring a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Philippines as a strategic country in the Asia-Pacific region and a vibrant member of the international community." She continued, "This endowment will support efforts to energize and strengthen the Philippine homeland itself, by supporting initiatives such as scholarships, fellowships, research and publications, library materials, exchange programs, visiting scholars, conferences, workshops, websites, educational travel and other opportunities aimed at achieving sustained academic and professional interest in Philippine Studies for the benefit of future generations of Filipinos as democratic, progressive, participating, vital and productive members of society, both internally and internationally."
Since joining the Mānoa faculty in 1975, Dr. Aquino has been recognized for her invaluable contributions to teaching, research, and community service. She has been a key source of information and analysis on issues including immigration, human rights, labor, higher education, Philippine corruption and poverty, Philippine-American relations, women, minorities, and contemporary affairs. Additionally, she has actively participated in various activities involving humanitarian projects, institution-building, educational programs and other social issues. She is the first-ever awardee of the prestigious Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Peace. Because of her expertise as a social scientist and Philippine specialist, she is a frequently invited to present papers or speak at forums, conferences and programs locally and internationally.
The Belinda A. Aquino International Philippine Studies endowment will be administered through the Center for Philippine Studies with the participation of the Dean, School of Pacific and Asian Studies, the Chair of the Asian Studies Program, and the Philippine Studies faculty at the Asian Studies Program.
To learn more about how you can support the School of Pacific & Asian Studies please contact Harriet Cintron at (808) 956-3594 or [email protected]
You can also make a secure gift online www.uhfoundation.org/GivetoSPAS
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The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaiʻi System. The mission of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation is to unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi’s aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations www.uhfoundation.org.
