8 Filipinos graduate with distinction in Belgium

Eight Filipino students graduated with distinction from various advanced master programs in development studies during the University of Antwerp’s Institute of Development Policy (IOB) graduation ceremony.

Natasia Tysmans, who obtained a master’s degree in Governance and Development, was among the top three students of her graduating class.

“The struggles of living alone in a foreign country brought our group closer like a family, and the experiences have taught us important life values,” said Tysmans, who took up European Studies at the Ateneo De Manila University.

Ambassador to Belgium Eduardo José de Vega attended the event and personally congratulated the graduating Filipino students for their outstanding academic performances. He expressed pride in their achievement, primarily as it has further raised the image of Filipinos in Belgium.

The event also welcomed incoming students from different countries for the academic year 2019-2020, many of them receiving scholarships from the Belgian government.

The IOB offers three full-time one-year advanced master’s programs with a high degree of specialization on the following: Developmental Evaluation and Management, Governance and Development and Globalization and Development.

Six new Filipino students will be studying in Belgium for the upcoming academic year.

“Dr. Jose Rizal, of course, published his second novel, El

Filibusterismo, in Ghent in 1891. Today, Belgium again recognizes the intellect and diligence of Filipino thinkers and scholars,” de Vega said.