The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines facilitated the signing of the agreement between Philippine state universities and colleges; and the Canadian University of Saskatchewan (USask) for an academic and research exchange and cooperation.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines facilitated the signing of the agreement between Philippine state universities and colleges; and the Canadian University of Saskatchewan (USask) for an academic and research exchange and cooperation.
The ceremony coincides with the 27th Founding Anniversary of CHED. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing is one of the activities for the National Higher Education Week.
The pact is collectively known as Philippine Canada Education Consortium Magic 7+ (PhilCanEDUCON Magic 7+), which is composed of the following: Benguet State University, Central Luzon State University, Central Mindanao University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, University of Southeastern Philippines, and the University of Saskatchewan.
Present in the virtual signing is the Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, Hon. Peter Macarthur, joined by Angel Cachuela, Trade Commissioner, Education, and Agri-food and Beverage, Dr. Darcy Marciniuk, Associate Vice-President, Research, USask, and Dr. Meghna Ramaswamy, Director, International Relations Office, USask. The Philippine delegation is headed by CHED Chairman, Dr. Prospero De Vera, together with the presidents of the six participating State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).
Ambassador Macarthur lauded the CHED and the members of the Magic 7+ consortium. He said that these linkages, both traditional and innovative, have benefitted the students and faculty. The partnership established over the years has planted the seed to build an interactive link between the young people of Canada and the Philippines that will continue for years to come. The collaboration marks another milestone in internationalization and bridging academic research institutions across the Pacific, he added.
The Magic 7+ project is titled Intensifying the Filipino Culture towards Sustained Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge System in Saving Natural Habitat, Landscape, and Practices through Cultural Education and Community Development. Ambassador Macarthur said that the project is the first of many capacity-building projects between the two countries.
One that binds the consortium is the shared commitment of the Philippines and Canada on UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, the ambassador shared.
In his message, CLSU President, Dr. Edgar A. Orden emphasized that the pact is a clear manifestation of mutual trust and agreement to advance and sustain academic and research excellence in higher education. These are through student and faculty exchange, introduction to new curricula, joint research and development projects, research and knowledge publications, and knowledge exchange. Moreover, the consortium may serve as a vehicle for shared academic courses of degree programs, which is another breakthrough in providing inclusive and equitable quality research partnerships.
