Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) participated in A Deep Dive on Higher Education Partnership Opportunities between the Philippines and British Columbia, held on 4-5 March 2025, at the Makati Diamond Residences, Makati City. This initiative aimed to strengthen academic collaboration and foster partnerships between higher education institutions in the Philippines and British Columbia, Canada. Participating Canadian institutions included the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Capilano University (CapU), Thompson Rivers University (TRU), and Vancouver Community College (VCC).
The event commenced with presentations from Dr. Randall Martin, Executive Director of the British Columbia Council for International Education (BCCIE). He delivered a presentation on Transnational Education (TNE) trends and the current landscape in the Philippines. He also discussed the Canada TNE framework, policies, and partnerships, providing a broader context for potential collaborations between Philippine and Canadian institutions. On behalf of the Philippines, Atty. Lily Milla, Deputy Executive Director and Director of the International Affairs Service at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), gave a presentation on Enhancing TNE Engagement between British Columbia and the Philippines. She also outlined the Transnational Higher Education (TNHE) Policy Framework, highlighting regulatory guidelines and opportunities for academic cooperation.
The two-day event served as a platform to explore Transnational Education (TNE) collaborations across various disciplines, facilitating discussions on potential joint degree programs, faculty exchanges, student mobility, and research collaborations. It also aimed to align institutional goals with global education trends, enhancing access to international education opportunities. During the event, each Canadian institution presented its areas of expertise–BCIT focused on applied education, engineering, health sciences, and transportation trades, Capilano University on the other hand is known for its programs in environment, climate and forestry, and tourism. Thompson Rivers University located in Kamloops, Canada also highlighted its interest in healthcare, early childhood education, tourism, and indigenous education, and the Vancouver Community College, specializes in nursing, hospitality, and tourism.
Representing Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) at the event was Ms. Rikka Paula E. Comaingking, Program Officer from the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao (AIM) Office. She actively engaged in discussions with Canadian institutions to explore potential academic collaborations. Additionally, she delivered a presentation titled “Culturally Responsive Education and the Cultures-Based Curriculum,” which showcased an initiative between Ateneo de Davao University, Philippines and Xavier Learning Community, Thailand. This presentation emphasized the importance of integrating local cultures into educational frameworks to support inclusive and contextualized learning.
ADDU strengthened its partnerships with Canadian institutions by participating in the EduCanada Pathways to Partnerships in Dusit Thani Residence Davao on the 10th of March 2025.
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