CHED-UTP Collaboration Workshop: Enhancing Academic Partnerships
and Innovation in Higher Education
The Philippine Delegation at the CHED-UTP Collaboration Workshop held at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 06-07 May.
Perak, Malaysia – May 6, 2024 – To foster academic collaboration and innovation between the Philippines and Malaysia, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) hold a workshop with the Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs) at UTP, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia, 06-07 May.
This collaboration stems from fruitful discussions during the early months of this year between UTP’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof. Ir Dr. Hilmi Muktar, and CHED-International Affairs Director, Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla. Subsequently, both parties agreed to organize a workshop to formalize their partnership and explore collaboration opportunities, especially in research, innovation, and engineering.
This two-day workshop offers a platform for PHEIs to explore various collaboration opportunities with UTP, including international undergraduate collaborative programs, dual-degree PhD programs, training and short courses, student exchange programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, joint industry projects, and research attachments. The participants will also have a glimpse of the state-of-the-art facilities and classrooms as they will be having a campus tour on the second day. Furthermore, this collaboration workshop aims to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)creating a consortium of PHEIs in the fields of engineering, science and technology, research, and innovation. This MOU is expected to be signed by June at Palawan State University.
UTP, a prestigious Malaysian research university, is renowned for its industry-relevant engineering, science, and technology programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. With a focus on producing well-rounded graduates, equipped with leadership qualities and communication abilities, UTP has established itself as a leader in research and innovation, particularly in six research focus and niche areas. These areas are self-sustainable buildings for smart living, transport infrastructure for smart mobility, health analytics for personalized care, hydrocarbon recovery for enhanced oil recovery, contaminant management for oil and gas, and autonomous systems for autonomous facilities.
Currently, UTP has produced more than 24,000 graduates and has an enrolment of above 1000 foundation students, more than 4,000 undergraduates, and over 1,000 postgraduates from more than 50 countries around the world. The university has also continuously achieved numerous national and international recognition, ranking 307th in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Dr. Jimmy Catanes, CESE, Regional Director for CHED Regional Office IV-B (MIMAROPA), and Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan, Jr., Regional Director for CHED Regional Office CAR, alongside representatives from esteemed Philippine universities, which includes Palawan State University (PalSU), Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), Batangas State University (BatStateU), Western Philippines University (WPU), Guimaras State University(GSU), Kalinga State University (KSU), and University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), comprise the Philippine delegation participating in the workshop. Their presence underscores the commitment of Philippine higher education institutions to internationalization and academic excellence.
“The CHED-UTP Collaboration Workshop presents a unique opportunity for Philippine higher education institutions to expand their global footprint, foster academic excellence, and drive innovation,” remarked Dr. Jimmy Catanes. “We are excited to engage in meaningful discussions and explore avenues for collaboration that will benefit both our institutions and students.”
This collaboration holds immense potential to enhance academic and research opportunities, promote knowledge exchange and innovation, facilitate student and faculty mobility, and elevate the international recognition and competitiveness of the Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs).
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