23 October 2024
Melbourne, Australia – Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Secretary Popoy De Vera pushed for the advancement of Philippine and Australian transnational education (TNE) noting the Philippines readiness to welcome foreign higher education institutions (HEIs) into the country.
“The Philippines welcomes transnational higher education partnerships with Australian HEIs. We have passed our own Transnational Education law and welcome Australian HEIs who plan to bring world class Australian education to the Philippines to expand the learning opportunities of Filipino students, offer Australian students the experience of learning in the Philippines, and help in the internationalization of Philippine HEIs,” De Vera said
The call of De Vera was issued during the Australian International Education Conference 2024 organized by the Australia-Philippine Business Council (APBC) at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.
The APBC, the oldest business council in Australia, is dedicated to maximizing the potential of trade and investment between Australia and the Philippines with focus on TNE to foster educational and economic ties between the two countries.
“More than just an educational exchange, TNE is a pathway for our nations’ pride and future while also fortifying our bonds with the Filipino diaspora in Australia. The APBC as an enabler and conduit for bilateral trade, it is our role to amplify the goal to action on this key initiative,” APBC President Rafael Toda said.
“In 2019, the Transnational Higher Education Act or Republic Act 11448 was signed into law allowing the expansion of access to educational services through the establishment and administration of transnational higher education,” De Vera said.
Through the TNE partnership, Philippine and Australian HEIs will be given opportunities for collaborative TNE arrangements such as articulation, academic franchising, branch campuses, joint degrees, online blended and distance learning, twinning and validation arrangements.
This will create pathways for both Filipino and Australian students to access and acquire education in the Philippines and Australia to enhance their skills in specialized areas and competitiveness in the global field.
CHED has approved TNE programs between Philippine universities and universities from the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Brunei since 2022.
“TNE plays a significant role in supporting Filipinos in Australia. With over 400 thousand Filipinos living and working in Australia, Filipino international students are secured with knowledge sources. Moreover, it should be noted that education and skills training is a key priority in the Philippine’s national development agenda because it will enhance our competitiveness in the ASEAN region and allow us to produce graduates that are in demand,” Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega said.
The CHED delegation in Australia, composed of CHED officials and representatives from 11 HEIs, is set to explore more collaborations with institutions in Australia until October 24 to boost the internationalization of Philippine HEIs.
De Vera is slated to meet with Minister for Higher Education, Skills, and TAFE Gayle Tierney and the Centre for Education Australia to find ways of accelerating TNE arrangements between the two countries in the succeeding days.
(SIGNED)
J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA
Chairman
Commission on Higher Education