THE Commission on Higher Education continues to facilitate new opportunities for Philippine higher education institutions in its latest partnership with the Province of British Columbia to promote education exchange and cooperation between higher education institutions of both countries in identified priority programs.

This was after CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera III and British Columbia Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Lisa Beare signed the memorandum of understanding for the promotion of education cooperation at the Vancouver Cabinet Office in Canada Place, Vancouver, Canada.

The partnership will strengthen relations and two-way educational exchange between both countries in priority areas including nursing, maritime education, sustainability, innovation, aviation, animation, and Indigenous People education.

“We have been working with our counterparts in Canada in the past years in recognition of the world class education provided by universities in British Columbia and the openness of its education officials to pursue areas of common interest in Asia, particularly the Philippines. Philippine HEIs such as Philippine State College of Aeronautics, World Citi College, Miriam College, University of the Philippines, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde are already implementing programs with BC HEIs. This ongoing meeting will further expand the access to international education opportunities to Filipino students and faculty on priority areas that need global training,” De Vera said.

“We thank Minister Beare for this latest meeting. We look forward to her new policy announcements at the upcoming BC International Education Week next week which will support international education,” De Vera added.

The CHED-BC partnership will open additional opportunities for students, and qualified faculty, researchers, and instructors to study or practice in the post-secondary education institutions of the Province of British Columbia for skills, professional, and curriculum development.

The CHED delegation in Canada is set to explore more collaborations with institutions in Canada until June 24 to boost the internationalization of Philippine HEIs.

De Vera was joined in the high level meeting by Philippine Consul General Arlene Magno, Mabalacat City College President Michelle Aguilar-Ong, and Embassy of Canada in the Philippines Trade Commissioner Angel Cachuela.

De Vera will meet with Nova Scotia Deputy Minister for Advanced Education Ryan Grant to discuss education partnerships in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston visited the Philippines last year to strengthen business relations, recruit healthcare workers, and advance Nova Scotia’s green energy agenda.