Photo by Brian Floyd Andrewmer Albitos

Text by Angelou C. Mendoza

Representatives from the University of the Philippines Manila, Los Baños, and British Council convened last August 8, 2024 for a Transnational Education (TNE) Learning Session. 

To bring forth wider opportunities to Filipino students pursuing international credentials and development, the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) and College of Nursing (CN) has been engaging in a collaborative effort with the British Council, in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), to fulfill the Access and Competitiveness through Internationalisation of Higher Education (ACT-IHE) program which envisions the development of transnational education (TNE) degrees of the higher education institutions in the Philippines with the support from the United Kingdom (UK).

On August 8, 2024, representatives from the British Council and officials from UP Manila and UP Los Baños convened to discuss the updates and status of the TNE partnership of the CAMP and CN, assess the support the colleges need, and also establish the program to other UP constituent universities, extending international opportunities through future partnerships with UK.

The session began with the British Council discussing the introduction of its organization as a platform that connects UK sectors to institutions across the globe and the definition of a TNE program making Philippine and UK qualifications accessible to students, with the representatives from UPM colleges actively participating in the session. Thereafter, Director Anna Floresca F. Firmalino of the Office of International Linkages of UP Los Baños profoundly discussed the “Understanding TNHE and Internationalization Strategies” which includes the selection of a potential partner UK universities, choosing of the program/mode, establishing agreements, and other further considerations such as quality assurance and academic and administrative processes, technical aspects of the program/activity, marketing and student recruitment. 

Delving into new partnerships, CAMP, represented by its former Dean Prof. Maria Eliza Aguila, and CN by Prof. Arnold B. Peralta, discussed the updates and progress of proposed ACT-IHE TNE development program which is an Articulation offering internationally recognized postgraduate certification. According to Prof. Aguila, “This TNE program aligns with a strategic area of focus of the college to deliver relevant and innovative graduate programs and also to enrich our lineup of graduate programs, and to learn and drive multi-site delivery. Note that we are after building our own capacity as well and not just building the capacity of health practitioners.”

Prof. Maria Eliza R. Aguila, the TNE Lead of the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), UPM, shared her insights at the Transnational Education (TNE) Learning Session with delegates from UPM colleges and the British Council. 

Since the year 2022, a UPM delegation has been visiting the UK to develop an understanding of their higher education system and TNE models and identify future UK partners for TNE program discussion. CAMP and CN were able to secure a partnership with Leeds University in the UK and a collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, respectively. 

This program is supported by the Republic Act 11448 or the “Transnational Higher Education Act,” an Act Expanding Access to Educational Services Through the Establishment and Administration of Transnational Higher Education, and Appropriating Funds which became a law last August 28, 2019. #