Co-hosted by the Commission on Higher Education, the Guizhou Provincial Department of Education and the Guiyang Institute of Humanities and Technology, the partnerships were signed during the Philippines–China University President Cooperation Dialogue, which took place during China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week.

“International collaboration is the key aspect of our approach to higher education,” said J. Prospero E. De Vera III, CHED chairperson.

“By collaborating with overseas partners, HEIs can enhance the quality of education, expose students to diverse perspectives and equip them with skills necessary to thrive in a globalised society.”

De Vera said it was his hope that participation in activities organised during and on the margins of the CAECW forums would “yield insights in learning in the international environment and promote the internationalisation of Philippine HEIs”.

The 10 partnership agreements between Philippine and China HEIs include:

• Bohol Island State University and Guiyang Institute of Humanities and Technology
• Mabalacat City College and Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology
• Isabela State University and Guizhou Minzu University
• Jose Rizal University and Guiyang Institute of Humanities and Technology
• Mariano Marcos State University and Center of International Education
• Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas and Deyang Vocational College of Technology and Trade
• University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and Center of International Education of Guangzhou Xinhua University
• University of Antique and Guizhou Vocational College of Foodstuff and Technology
• World Citi Colleges and Guiyang Institute of Humanities and Technology
• University of the Philippines and Guiyang Institute of Humanities and Technology

[1] Co-hosted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Guizhou Provincial Department of Education and the Guiyang Institute of Humanities and Technology, the Philippines-China University President Cooperation Dialogue, Ceremonial Signing, pic.twitter.com/GlENwq6UCP

— DFA Philippines 🇵🇭 (@DFAPHL) September 8, 2023

For Angelo Jimenez, president of the University of The Philippines, the future direction of Philippines-China cooperation has been established with the help of centuries-old ties and diplomatic relations.

“Ultimately, we must weigh our decisions according to one metric: how these will concretely improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities,” said Jimenez.

By collaborating with overseas partners, HEIs can enhance the quality of education

“Education is meant to serve people, to make lives better, to save our environment, and to promote peace, prosperity and social responsibility.”

Mabalacat City College’s partnership with Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology aspires to secure a pioneer project through the Chinese government’s Luban workshop grant, according to its president Michelle Aguilar-Ong.

It intends to build vocational skills and boost employment, the leader of the Philippine institution added.

The grant provides a comprehensive educational training in Chinese technology including “top-notch equipment and cutting-edge facilities”, said CHED in a statement, adding that, 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,” Aguilar-Ong added.