By Chessa Pae Faustino, StratCom Correspondent

As part of its strategic expansion of global linkages, MMSU, represented by Planning Director Dr. Marlowe Aquino, attended the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) 2024 Annual Conference in Ottawa, Canada, from November 2 to 10. 

MMSU participated alongside other institutions from Region I, including Pangasinan State University, University of Northern Philippines, and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, under the leadership of CHED Regional Director Dr. Christine Ferrer. 

The Philippine delegation comprised representatives from 25 higher education institutions, led by CHED Commissioner Dr. Marita Canapi, along with UNIFAST OIC Executive Director Atty. Ryan Estevez, CHED INRC Lead for KRA3 Dr. Myrna Mallari, and Ms. Mabel Guttierez from CHED’s International Affairs Services Office. 

The conference, themed “Beyond the Horizon,” brought together over 1,000 delegates from Canada and the global education community. This event provided MMSU with a platform to expand its networks, form partnerships, and engage in important discussions about international education. In conjunction with the main CBIE event, the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines and CBIE co-hosted events that allowed the Philippine delegation to present their internationalization initiatives and showcase developments in the Philippines’ transnational higher education sector. 

Additional visits and meetings with Canadian post-secondary institutions were also conducted. As part of this academic mission, Dr. Aquino visited Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Agriculture in Truro, Nova Scotia, from November 6 to 9. During this visit, he engaged with Dalhousie’s senior leadership to strengthen existing collaborations, explore new partnership opportunities, and connect with researchers focused on similar academic themes. 

Dr. Aquino was also invited to serve as a visiting professorial lecturer, presenting on the topic “Honoring Indigenous Knowledge: Community Food Systems in the Philippines.” Together with other faculty members of the university, he will participate in several upcoming agriculture and fisheries specializations through Collaborative Online International Learning and the Collaborative Learning Immersion Program. These programs will promote international collaboration and enhance practical engagement in these fields over the coming months.

This year’s participation by the Philippines in the CBIE conference marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Canada, as well as a decade-long partnership between CHED and CBIE.