By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

As a result of their higher education mission trip in Canada earlier this year, Mariano Marcos State University and eight academic institutions have recently agreed to create a consortium that strengthens relations among Philippine higher education institutions. 

On June 11, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and heads of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U), Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), Tarlac State University (TSU), Universidad De Dagupan (UDD), West Visayas State University (WVSU), World Citi Colleges and WCC Aeronautical and Technologies College (WCC-ATC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote cooperation in higher education. 

To take effect for five years, the MOU will open for the conduct of numerous professional trainings and the development of institutional linkages at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. They will also encourage initiatives to explore potential credit transfer program, to support research collaboration opportunities and promote participation in education congresses, conferences, workshops, symposiums, training courses, and exhibits.

The universities also agreed for exchange of high-level officials, faculty experts, personnel and students in trainings, professional development and capacity building activities. Further, they will stimulate and strengthen information-sharing on academic quality, performance standards, evaluation of results, methodology development, student affairs, higher education system and structure and quality assurance. 

Together with Dr. Agrupis were ISAT U President Raul Muyong, SLSU President Prose Ivy Yepes, TSU President Arnold Velasco, UDD President Voltaire Arzadon, WVSU President Joselito Villaruz, WCC President Ramon Patrick Guico, and TAU External Linkages and International Affairs Director Christine Ferrer, who represented President Max Guillermo. The ceremonial MOU signing was held at the WCC-ATC in Binalonan Pangasinan. Gracing the event were CHED International Affairs Staff Director Lily Freida M. Milla and CHED Region I OIC Director Danilo Bose. 

Said MOU is a part of the post-evaluation and re-entry action plan of the nine HEIs which participated in the partnership mission in Ottawa and Toronto, Canada on March 25 to April 5. 

PSCA affirmed commitment to make the partnership successful, saying that the consortium will enable MMSU to expand its internationalization initiatives in Canada. At present, MMSU already have five university partners in the said country: Coast Mountain College, University of Saskatchewan, Dalhousie University, Evergreen College, and the AGA Academy. 

For his part, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman J. Prospero E. De Vera II lauded the collaboration of the nine universities, hoping such move will surely strengthen relations between Philippines HEIs and intensify the Philippine-Canada education system. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)