The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Tuesday underscored the need for international upskilling and reskilling of faculties from Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) during the higher education mission in Australia.

“So, we’re looking at opportunities to develop not only university-to-university linkages but opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, sending faculty members to short continuing professional development programs in top universities all over the world,” CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III said in a meeting with Higher Education and Skills and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) of Victoria Minister Gayle Tierney.

He said the upskilling of faculties will help elevate the quality of Philippine HEIs, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“So, he has instructed, particularly higher education and basic education, to make sure that we maintain our niche in terms of producing world-class professionals in specific fields,” De Vera said.

Among the priority fields included in the internationalization focus of the Marcos administration are medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, information technology, engineering, and the maritime sector, among others.

Tierney, meanwhile, lauded the Philippines for advancing international partnerships, as she assured continuous assistance in securing PH-Australian universities agreements, whether in higher education or vocational education.

“We do appreciate the work that you’ve put in so far and (are) really heartened to hear that you are going to be developing work plans so that everyone understands who’s doing what so that we can make sure that we do have that deep-necked, very rich dialogue that takes us forward,” Tierney said.

She also recognized that Australia is considered a “very popular destination” for Filipino students, stressing the need to ensure the sustainability of existing university linkages.

“We also know that Filipinos that live in Melbourne, many of them are attracted to the healthcare and home care health areas. So, if there’s some sort of synergies that we might be able to work on there, we would be very interested as well,” she said.

“I think getting to know each other and deepening our relationships is absolutely critical in all of our endeavors, in all of the parts that we have influenced so that we can maintain very, very strong links that not only are between ourselves but the next generation in each of our countries.”

For its part, the CHED vowed to continue ensuring synergy in credit transfers and degree recognitions both for the Philippine HEIs and partner universities.

To date, 11 Philippine HEIs are participating in the five-day higher education mission to secure agreements with various universities in Australia until Oct. 25. (PNA)