Leaders and faculty members of higher education institutions (HEIs) from the regions of Ilocos, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Northern Mindanao participated in another series of focus group discussions (FGDs) organised by the British Council and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The FGDs aim to identify emerging priorities for transnational education (TNE) in the Philippines.
The recently concluded FGDs this June 2019 capped off the series of discussions that began in November of last year. The first of the FGD series was held in Dumaguete followed by sessions in Cebu, Davao, Metro Manila and the Cordillera Administrative Region. Results of the FGDs contribute to the ongoing scoping study envisioned to establish frameworks to further develop TNE in the country as a strong strategy for the internationalisation of higher education in the country.
Facilitating the FGDs were programme leads from the British Council-CHED Joint Development of Niche Programmes through Philippine-UK Linkages (JDNP) project. They also shared their valuable experiences in developing TNE programmes with UK universities. The discussions opened opportunities for participating HEI leaders to consider further efforts and initiatives for internationalisation.
Since 2018, the JDNP programme has sent over 20 Filipino students in the UK to take up joint, dual, and double postgraduate programmes developed from the UK-Philippine TNE partnerships. More Filipino students are set to study in the UK this year.