With a mutual interest to increase the standards of higher education to an international level, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines and the Department of Education of Australia partnered to boost the Philippine and Australian transnational education partnership.
This is after CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera, accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega and Consul General Ma. Lourdes Salcedo, received Australian Government Department of Education Assistant Secretary Simon Puckett at the Philippine Consulate in Melbourne to discuss strategies and framework for the offering of joint transnational education.
“Transnational higher education is a priority program in the current Philippine administration. We have a transnational education law that was passed in 2019 outlining the implementing rules and guidelines for the conduct of TNE and we have existing TNE partnerships with HEIs from other countries with effective models and frameworks. Hence, partnerships like this are confidently welcomed,” De Vera said.
“Teaming up in transnational higher education is certainly something we are pushing forward. This is an ideal partnership since earlier this year we have released the International Skills Framework for Australia where we set out conditions to effectively manage international education partnerships,” Puckett said.
“It’s the commitment of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to produce world-class professionals which aligns with Australia’s mission and objectives in international education. This bilateral cooperation is relevant and important. All we need to do is align our models, approaches, and frameworks,” De La Vega said.
Through the TNE partnership, opportunities for collaborative TNE arrangements will be made available such as articulation, academic franchising, branch campuses, joint degrees, online blended and distance learning, and twinning and validation arrangements on programs agreed on.
Among the priority areas CHED and the Australian Department of Education considered for partnership are medicine and other allied health programs recognizing the Philippines and Australia’s strength and global competitiveness.
Notably, top Philippines state universities and colleges with Doctor of Medicine program, University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila), West Visayas State University (WVSU), and Mindanao State University General Santos (MSU Gensan), already have an existing partnership with the University of Adelaide in Australia for the faculty skills enhancement and training.
“Our goal is to strengthen the existing network here in Australia. We look forward to the possibility that through this mutual accord, we will be able to increase the number of Philippine universities that are partnering with their counterparts here in Australia,” De Vera said.
Both sides are also exploring opportunities for the provision of short-term courses and certifications for faculty and personnel in HEIs in the Philippines.
UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee and Australia’s Trade and Investment Commissioner to Manila Bernice Vanguardia also joined the meeting.
The Department of Education of Australia is the government agency responsible for the strategic direction and national leadership of Australia’s education system from early years, school, higher education, and research.#
