Vancouver PCG Successfully Hosts Networking Session for CHED, PHEIs, and Academic Institutions in British Columbia

(Left photo) Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (standing behind the podium) welcomes (right photo) the CHED officials, representatives from the PHEIs and academic institutions in British Columbia during the Networking Session at the Consulate. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

Vancouver BC, 30 June 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver organized a Networking Session for the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Officials, representatives from the Philippine Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs), and academic institutions in BC, at the Consulate on 26 June 2025.

In her welcome remarks, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin reaffirmed the Philippines’ strong commitment to education, highlighting CHED’s ongoing reforms to enhance access to quality higher education. She also underscored the value of the networking session as an opportunity to build on the 2024 MOU between CHED and British Columbia’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills (PSFS), fostering deeper cooperation through one-on-one meetings between CHED and officials from Philippine and BC academic institutions.

During the event, Ms. Aline Magalong, Director of Higher Education Development Fund Staff, CHED-International Affairs’ Service (IAS), highlighted the goal of positioning PHEIs as premier destinations for education and tourism, emphasizing CHED’s commitment to internationalization through mobility programs and global partnerships.

Dr. Virgilio Julius Manzano, President of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Ilocos Norte, and Ms. Donna P. Taguiba, President of Panpacific University in Pangasinan, also introduced their institutions, underscoring their missions to build international academic linkages through faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and programs.

After the presentations, an open forum and one-on-one networking sessions were conducted, providing attending officials and representatives the opportunity to hold introductory meetings with CHED and PHEIs.

The networking session was attended by sixteen academic institutions in BC and culminated with signing of MOUs between BC and PH Higher Education Institutions. END

(From Left to Right) Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (4L) is joined by Consul Analyn Ratonel, Ms. Aline Magalong, Director for Higher Education Development Fund Staff, CHED-IAS (5L), Ms. Corazon Nualda, Education Program Specialist II and Desk Officer for OMEA, AIMS, UMAP, and Student Mobility, CHED-IAS (3L), Ms. Ma. Cleopatra Macatangay, Education Program Specialist I and Desk Officer for American Affairs, CHED-IAS (1L), Ms. Donna P. Taguiba, President, Panpacific University (6L), Dr. Virgilio Julius Manzano, President of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and Mr. Edward C. Taguiba, Vice President, Operations, Panpacific University, Pangasinan (8L) for a photo opportunity. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

(From top to bottom) Ms. Aline Magalong, Director for Higher Education Development Fund Staff, CHED-IAS, Dr. Virgilio Julius Manzano, President of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), and Ms. Donna P. Taguiba, President, Panpacific University deliver their presentation and remarks during the event program. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin interacts with the officials and representatives of attending academic institutions in BC during the event program. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

(Left Photo) CHED Director Aline Magalong meets with the Okanagan College officials to explore potential areas of academic collaboration. (Right Photo) MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius Manzano meets with Western Community College representative to discuss future partnership opportunities; Panpacific President Ms. Donna P. Taguiba and Vice President Mr. Edward C. Taguiba discuss possible collaboration with representatives from Fairleigh Dickinson University. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)