CUE Inaugurates Philippine Corner at Vision Library in Collaboration with the Philippine Embassy
The Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) inaugurated the Philippine Corner at the CUE Vision Library in a ceremony attended by His Excellency Mr. Charlie Pacaña Manangan, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and Dr. Nazar Shabila, President of CUE.
The Philippine Corner was established following a book donation from the Philippine Embassy, marking an important step toward expanding cultural and academic exchange within the university library. The initiative aims to introduce students and the wider academic community to the history, culture, and heritage of the Philippines through curated library resources.
During the inauguration, Ambassador Manangan highlighted the symbolic nature of the donation, describing it as a “seeding activity” intended to grow over time. He expressed hope that the initial collection would be followed by further contributions, encouraging young people in the Kurdistan Region to learn more about the Philippines and strengthen cultural understanding between communities.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. Ghaith Al-Abdallah, Chief of Digital Transformation and Innovation at CUE, emphasized the educational and cultural value of the initiative. He noted that the Philippine Corner represents an important addition to the Vision Library, supporting CUE’s commitment to exposing students to global cultures and perspectives. While the corner begins with a modest collection, he expressed optimism that it would expand into a larger, more comprehensive resource in the future.
The inauguration also reflects the ongoing collaboration between CUE and the Embassy of the Philippines in Iraq, reinforcing shared efforts to promote cultural dialogue, academic enrichment, and international cooperation.
Through initiatives such as the Philippine Corner, CUE continues to strengthen its Vision Library as a hub for global knowledge, cultural exchange, and inclusive learning.