CHED, Australian tech network ink MOU on higher education, research partnership
CANBERRA—AT the sidelines of the Australian Technology Network (ATN) Education Summit, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman J. Prospero E. de Vera III and University of Technology Sydney ( UTS) Vice ChancellorPresident and ATN Chairman Professor Attila Brungs led the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on higher education and research.
The ATN is a consortium of four of the most innovative and enterprising universities in Australia, namely: UTS in New South Wales, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology- University in Melbourne, University of South Australia, and Curtin University in Western Australia.
The MOU will facilitate cooperation between Philippine state universities and ATN member-universities, particularly on science and innovation in higher education and research. It also supports the longstanding education cooperation between the two countries.
In his opening remarks, Brungs recognized the importance of the Philippines in Australia’s international education sector:
“On the ATN Global Engagement Plan, we want to expand this and make it richer and deeper, one of our core areas of focus now is on the Philippines.”
He also added the ATN and CHED will develop a work plan to activate this collaboration with the objective of implementing activities by 2021.
De Vera said both nations will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021, and higher education cooperation is an
important part of this milestone. He explained that the MOU is aligned with the priorities of the Philippines- Australia Comprehensive Partnership, and the national development plans of the country.
“This important agreement... is crucial in pushing for stronger internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions,” de Vera confirmed.
Presidents of state colleges and universities of the Philippines also viewed the event online.