By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis joins CHED chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III, International Affairs Staff director Lily Freida Milla, other CHED officials and university presidents in the 2023 China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week (CAECW) being held in Guizhou Province, China. 

Seven state universities and colleges and seven private higher education institutions in the Philippines were invited for this year’s CAECW. The SUCs are Bohol Island State University, Isabela State University, Mariano Marcos State University, University of Antique, University of the Cordilleras, University of the Philippines - Diliman, and UP Open University; while the private HEIs are Jose Rizal University, Lyceum of the Philippines University - Batangas, Mabalacat City College, Panpacific University, University of Perpetual Help System, University of Santo Thomas, and World Citi Colleges. 

In the opening ceremony held today, August 29, at the CAECW Permanent Host Site in Guiyang City, CHED Chair De Vera delivered a message, highlighting the importance of advancing digitalization and globalization. He said the Philippines is inclined to collaborate with China and ASEAN in conducting research on regional digital education development, smart education, digital transformation of higher education, and internationalization of the education standards. Other high-ranking officials from China and ASEAN countries also delivered their speeches. 

All the participants were welcomed through an art show on blended and harmonious cultures, and a video presentation of the event theme: “New Vision for Education Cooperation, Common Prosperity for Belt and Road.” 

Moreover, two alliances were launched: the China-ASEAN Digital Education Alliance and the Alliance for Economics and Management Education and the Network for Higher Education on Finance and Economics.

The participating Philippine HEIs will forge institutional agreements with Chinese HEIs tomorrow, Aug. 30, as part of the Philippines-China University President Cooperation Dialogue, Ceremonial Signing, and Networking Session to be held in Song Bai Hall in Guiyang City. 

President Agrupis is also set to deliver her keynote speech on integration of digitalization and globalization in the Development Forum on Internationalizing USTC Vocational Education to be held on Aug. 31. 

CAECW convenes education ministers, university presidents, international organization heads, experts and scholars, diplomats, and young people from China and ASEAN countries. Now in its 16th year, the event serves as an avenue to promote educational cooperation and people-to-people exchange between China and ASEAN, and contribute to the Belt and Road cooperation. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)