ODU Faculty Undertake Educational Mission to Philippines

Chandra de Silva, dean of the College of Arts and Letters, and Araceli Suzara, assistant professor of sociology and director of the Filipino American Center at Old Dominion University, are in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines, on a four-day educational mission this week.

The visit is part of the sister-city relationship between Cagayan de Oro City and Norfolk, which was formally sealed with the signing of an agreement between Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula and Mayor Paul D. Fraim at a ceremony held June 18 at the MacArthur Memorial Theater in Norfolk.

During their visit to the Philippines, De Silva and Suzara will meet with the mayor and the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry, tour important industries in the region and visit with officials at several local universities.

Old Dominion's Filipino American Center serves as a resource and research center for Philippine history and culture and the Filipino American experience. It is a center for social interaction and a cultural liaison to the university and the Hampton Roads communities.