THE United States Agency for International Development and the Commission on Higher Education launched a fellowship program for education officials of the Philippines.

The Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship Program is part of the five-year United States-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Life-long Learning initiative.

The Memorandum of Agreement for the fellowship program was signed by USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn and CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III on May 13.

Washburn said the fellowship program is an investment in the development of leaders in the education sector that will strengthen the system of higher education in the country.

“This fellowship program represents our investment in developing leaders who will inspire change and strengthen the country’s higher education sector through innovation and collaboration,” he said.

The first batch of participants in the Fellowship program includes 16 senior officials from CHED and various colleges and universities in the country.