CHED, US colleges partner to push internationalization of education

The Commission on Higher Education has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Global Advancement of Community Colleges (CGACC) to push for the internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs).

Under the agreement, Philippine colleges and universities will work with community colleges in the US to achieve greater cooperation in education and exchanges.

CHED Chairman J. Prospero E. De Vera III and CGACC Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Zepur Solakia signed the MoU during the National Association for Foreign Student Advisers (NAFSA) conference in Washington D.C. last Wednesday.

“This partnership between CHED and CGACC is essential to build opportunities for increased student and faculty exchanges between Philippine HEIs and US community colleges, to promote adult education, and to adopt innovative practices in community colleges for state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs)", De Vera said in a press release.

According to De Vera, the partnership aims to establish a platform of collaboration for similarly-interested institutions.

He also said that CHED will increase funding for this program to help Philippine colleges and universities connect with other universities abroad.

Under the MOU, the Philippine and US schools’ cooperation will cover joint conferences, research activities and programs on community colleges; exchange of academic materials and publications; exchange of faculty members and students for research and lectures, and; development of capacity building programs on the governance and programs design delivery of community colleges.

A joint working group will be established to develop these programs and projects.

Present during the signing ceremony were CHED Commissioner Ronald L. Adamat, Mariano Marcos State University President Shirley C. Agrupis, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Vice Presidents Anna Ruby P. Gapasin and Zenaida R. Sarmiento, Bataan Peninsula State University President Gregorio J. Rodis and Cotabato City Polytechnic College President Dammang S. Ban-tala.

Representatives from US schools College of the Canyons, Northern Virginia Community College, Pima College, Riverside Community College, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Monica College, Shoreline Community College, and Valencia College were also present. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News