11 September 2023
Through the Commission on Higher Education’s participation in the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, Mabalacat City College (MCC) in Philippines recently secured a historic institutional agreement with China’s Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology (SIRT) to push for the provision of railway maintenance and repair certificates to Filipino students, the first ever in the Philippines.
MCC President Michelle Aguilar-Ong signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SRIT Dean Dou Xinshun after joining the Philippine delegation led by CHED under the leadership of Chairman Popoy De Vera.
“MCC’s participation in the China-ASEAN Cooperation Week will be a good opportunity to engage with educational institutions in China. Participation in activities organized during and on the margins of the CAECW forums will yield insights in learning in the international environment and promote the internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions,” De Vera said.
“Railway certificates are not popular courses in the Philippines. There is only one university that offers railway engineering in the country. But for workforce development and immediate employment, I don’t think there are other colleges in the Philippines that offer certificates. It’s about time that we open one,” Ong said.
Moreover, the partnership aspires to secure another pioneer project in the Philippines, the Luban workshop grant by the Chinese Government, with an intention to build vocational skills and boost employment in the country.
This grant provides a comprehensive educational training in Chinese technology including top-notch equipment and cutting-edge facilities. To date, there are 30 Luban workshops successfully operating across different countries.
“There are no other Luban workshops in the Philippines, this is going to be the first. This project is particularly beneficial to the local government due to the thousand of job opportunities it will bring,” she added
Apart from employment, Ong believes that this endeavor fosters lifelong learning because it includes a pathway system to a university degree in engineering.
Meanwhile, Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo, the MCC Chairman, commends the college for its dedication in supporting his vision of increasing employability and job opportunities in Mabalacat City.
“This is a high priority project because it aligns with our commitment to provide employment opportunities and shall generally boost the economic development in our city,” Garbo said.
The institutional agreement was launched during the Philippine-China University President Cooperation Dialogue, Ceremonial Signing, and Networking Session hosted by CHED in the CAECW that aims to boost collaboration and partnership between the Philippines and China HEIs.
Nine other Philippine HEIs have also secured agreement with their Chinese counterparts in this China Mission initiated by CHED.
(SIGNED)
J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA
Chairman
Commission on Higher Education
Philippines