PH, China bolster academic cooperation in higher education

FILE: One of the classrooms inside Makati Science High School (PNA photo by Avito C.Dalan)

MANILA — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines and the Ministry of Education (MOE) of the People’s Republic of China on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to fast track bilateral cooperation in higher education.

CHED Chair J. Prospero De Vera III said the MOU signifies the mutual commitment of the two countries to push for the internationalization of universities in both countries.

The MOU, which was signed by de Vera and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, will fast track collaboration between higher education agencies and institutions in the two countries in terms of mutual recognition of degrees to promote lifelong learning and the practices of profession in both countries; increase in the number of universities recognized by both countries in their registry; and faculty and student exchanges through scholarships, training programs and country.

It also seeks to promote information sharing on the structure of higher education, academic quality, performance standards, evaluation of results, methodology development, student affairs, and qualifications frameworks; establishment of a credit transfer arrangements; strengthen cooperation in the study of languages and the establishment of additional Confucius Institutes in the Philippines; and participation in educational congresses, conferences, workshops, symposiums, training courses, and exhibits.

“President Duterte’s signing of RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education is now providing access to more than 1.2 million students all over the country. This educational agreement will improve the quality of education available to our students,” de Vera said.

“This academic cooperation manifests our collaborative efforts to deepen and expand support and opportunities to develop future-ready graduates and contribute to innovation and technology for economic growth and national competitiveness for both countries,” he added.

The CHED and MOE will establish a joint working group to develop programs and projects between higher education institutions of Philippines and China starting this year.

The group will be co-chaired by a representative from the CHED and MOE.

Other relevant government agencies of the two countries or other relevant institutions authorized by both countries may participate in the programs and projects as well.