iEducation Philippines
International Affairs Service | Commission on Higher Education
INCLUSION · ACCESS · SERVICE
Dr. Jane Knight's Visit to the Philippines: Strengthening Transnational Higher Education, Knowledge, and Research Security
Dr. Jane Knight, a renowned scholar and expert in international education, recently concluded a productive visit to the Philippines, focusing on strengthening transnational higher education (TNHE), knowledge, and research security. Professor Knight, of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, is a long-term scholar of the international, intercultural, and global dimensions of higher education and international relations. Her extensive work in over 75 countries with universities, foundations, governments, and UN agencies provides her with a unique comparative, development, and international perspective that informs her research, teaching, and policy work. This depth of experience was clearly evident throughout her visit.
Dr. Knight, who holds a PhD in Higher Education and a PhD in Political Science, and is the recipient of several international awards, including three honorary doctorates, is the author of over 150 academic publications. Her latest work, “Knowledge Diplomacy In International Relations and Higher Education” (Springer 2022), highlights her expertise in this evolving field. She also serves on the advisory boards of several international organizations, universities, and journals.
Dr. Knight’s visit to the Philippines began with a warm welcome and a meeting with Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla of the CHED International Affairs Service. Discussions centered on internationalization as well as knowledge and research security, setting the stage for a series of fruitful engagements. Dr. Knight was also briefed by CHED Commissioner Ethel Valenzuela and Director Mary Sylvette Gunigundo, from the CHED Office of Planning, Research, and Knowledge Management (OPRKM) regarding the Philippine higher education landscape and the state of research security in the Philippines.
A significant part of Dr. Knight’s trip was dedicated to knowledge and research safety. She held in-depth meetings with key representatives from several leading universities. At the University of Santo Tomas (UST), she met with UST’s Office of International Relations and Programs to explore the risks and opportunities in global research partnerships—focusing on AI security, data and research protection.
Dr. Knight also engaged with the University of the Philippines (UP), where she met with University President Atty. Angelo Jimenez and other high-level officials. The meeting focused on the critical topic of knowledge and research Security. This underscored the growing importance of safeguarding research integrity in an increasingly interconnected world.
Furthering her exploration of TNHE, Dr. Knight held a virtual meeting with Ms. Lotus Postrado, Country Director of the British Council in the Philippines. She also met with Atty. Ron Salo, the author of the TNHE Law, demonstrating her commitment to understanding the legal framework governing TNHE in the Philippines.
Her itinerary also included visits to Mapua University in Makati and Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila. The FEU visit included discussions on Transnational Higher Education and a short cultural tour, highlighting the importance of integrating culture and the arts into the academic experience. Dr. Knight also met with representatives from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to discuss Knowledge and Research Security.
Beyond formal meetings, Dr. Knight took time to immerse herself in the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage. She visited the Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Ateneo Art Gallery at Ateneo de Manila University, demonstrating her appreciation for the country’s art and history.
Dr. Knight’s visit to the Philippines served as a valuable platform for dialogue, contributing to the wealth of knowledge in transnational higher education and research security. Her engagements with key stakeholders across the Philippine higher education landscape are expected to contribute significantly to the continued growth and development of the sector.
