#GoingGlobal: VSU signs University Presidents for Peace Declaration in Hiroshima University, Japan

Visayas State University (VSU) President Prose Ivy G. Yepes signed the University Presidents for Peace Declaration at the 6th University Presidents for Peace Conference at the Higashi-Senda Campus of Hiroshima University (HU), Japan, on August 6, 2026.

VSU was the only university in the Philippines invited during the conference that gathered 17 universities from 11 countries and regions across the world. 

“Our participation in the conference integrates VSU into an international body of university leaders focused on global peacebuilding,” said Dr. Jade Dhapnee Z. Compendio, Director for International Affairs and Relations, who witnessed the event. 

“In addition, the attendance of VSU in the conference means we can directly participate in a global university network where our faculty and students can conduct joint research on peace and sustainability and provide our students and young researchers access to international exchange programs that broaden global perspectives,” she further explained.

Universities and Philippine-Japan Relations

The declaration reaffirms the commitment of higher education institutions “to nurture and expand a network of universities in support of peace and sustainability, to expand opportunities for student and young researcher exchanges in peace and sustainability, and to strengthen institutional and collaborative efforts to secure sustainable support for these initiatives.” 

The declaration gained more meaning, as it was held after the Peace Memorial Ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and a service for the victims of the atomic bomb at the HU Higashi-Senda Campus.

The Philippines, particularly Leyte, had a significant part in the history of Japan, being the entry point along the Pacific during World War II. Since that devastating war, peace has been the stronghold of cultural dialogue and economic cooperation in Philippine-Japan relations. 

It is, therefore, proper that Eastern Visayas represent the Philippines in such an occasion and that the leading university in the region represent the area whose history has always been closely tied with Japan. 

This moment is also the fruit of a 15-year-long relationship between the Visayas State University and Hiroshima University. 

With emphasis on the role of universities to serve as places of education, research, and exchange, the signing of VSU on the Peace Declaration will open opportunities for faculty and staff to study and research on peace and sustainability, participate in exchange programs, and secure funding that will make the latter two possible.

“As the only Philippine university participating, VSU can also bring a Filipino perspective to this international conversation and, in turn, bring international experiences and opportunities back to the Philippines,” Dr. Yepes said in a statement.

Pathways to Peace and Sustainability

The university aims to broaden engagements with Hiroshima University. 

In the past, the Department of Animal Science enjoyed academic and research opportunities through this partnership with HU. With the current agreement, this has now expanded to other colleges, departments, and units of the university, including sending more faculty members and students to cultural and academic exchanges. 

Talks of inviting HU President Ochi Mitsuo, a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon, to speak at the VSU College of Medicine with medical professionals across the region are also underway.

“Our goal is to move beyond a partnership concentrated in one academic field and transform the university-wide MOU into broader, meaningful opportunities for faculty members, students, researchers, and other academic units across VSU,” Dr. Compendio disclosed. 

As to the attendance at the Peace Conference at Hiroshima University, Dr. Compendio revealed that projects on peace and sustainability are already in the pipeline. 

Among these projects are faculty and student exchange programs and projects on peace and community care, disaster preparedness, resilience research, and waste management and the organizing of a sustainability summit in VSU.

“Through these commitments, we aim to further develop a global network of individuals who are educated, empathetic, and engaged, and who will contribute to advancing peace and sustainability. We share this commitment with the broader international community,” Dr. Compendio said.

This article is aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and SDG No. 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

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