PANABO CITY — Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), through its Internationalization Initiatives and External Affairs Office, hosted officials from the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Davao City on November 18, 2025, for an engagement on internationalization and the evolving dynamics of Philippines–Indonesia relations.
The activity included two key presentations. Ms. Novita S.D. Supit, Consul for Economic Affairs, discussed Indonesia’s Economic Diplomacy in Mindanao, and Ms. Umi Yanti Febriana Silalahi, Consul for Information, Social, and Cultural Affairs, delivered a talk on Public Diplomacy to Foster Regional and Global Peace: Indonesia’s Soft Power Diplomacy in Mindanao. Their presentations highlighted Indonesia’s ongoing efforts to expand cooperation in trade, culture, connectivity, and peacebuilding in Southern Philippines.
In a message delivered during the program, Hon. Agus Trenggono, Consul General of KJRI Davao City, emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, “As close neighbors in our shared memory, Indonesia has highly valued cooperation in education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people connectivity. Strengthening economic and youth collaboration is one of the most meaningful ways to deepen our relationship.”
Representing DNSC President Joy M. Sorrosa, Dr. Eliseo F. Huesca Jr., Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production, echoed the College’s strategic approach to internationalization.
“DNSC is resolved to take the less traveled road in global higher education, not by seeking distant, competitive alliances, but by decisively leveraging the immense power of our geographical and cultural proximities. Our ambition is to optimize the potentials of knowledge exchange right here within the Borneo–Sulawesi growth corridor,” he stated.
Other members of the Indonesian delegation were Irwan Djauhari, Consul for Communications Affairs, Chrisyonno Rakinaung, Staff, Information, Social & Cultural Affairs, Geovani Mocodompis, Staff, Information, Social & Cultural Affairs, Algen Landas, Staff, Economic Affairs, and Chrisanto Burongan, Staff, Communications Affairs.
Representatives from DNSC’s management team and academic units also took part in the discussion, signaling the College’s active pursuit of partnerships that advance institutional capacity and cross-border academic collaboration.
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