Students from 10 higher education institutions in the Philippines will soon get the chance to get United Kingdom postgraduate degrees without having to leave home.
This year, the partnership signed between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the British Council two years ago will take effect. Filipino students will get access to UK postgraduate programs while staying enrolled at selected universities through double and dual degree programs that will be available as early as next school year.
University representatives from both nations, who attended the press conference on February 16 at the Makati Shangri‑La Hotel, hoped that this Joint Development of Niche Programmes (JDNP) project will strengthen linkages between our two countries. There are ten participating Philippine universities, nine participating UK universities and seventeen degree programs between them.
The following are the participating Philippine universities, their partnered UK institution, and degree programs offered:
1. Ateneo de Manila University and Queen Mary University of London
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science Innovation through Media Arts Technology
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Data Science
2. Bicol University and University of Liverpool
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems
3. Central Luzon State University and the University of Liverpool
Dual degree ‑ Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Food Systems by research
4. De La Salle University and Liverpool Hope University
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Computer Science
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Data Science/Data Engineering
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Robotics Engineering
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
5. Miriam College and Goldsmiths University of London
Dual degree, Postgraduate Certificate and Master of Arts in Designing Education
6. Saint Louis University and Coventry University
Dual degree ‑ Master of Science in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
7. Siliman University and Newcastle University
Double degree, Newcastle University ‑ Master of Research in Marine Ecosystems and Governance
Double degree, Siliman University ‑ Master of Research in Tropical Biological Oceanography
8. University of the Philippines‑Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology and University of Reading
Dual degree ‑ Doctor of Philosophy (by research) in Meteorology
9. University of the Philippines Los Banos and University of Reading
Dual degree, Doctor of Philosophy (by research) in Horticulture
10. University of San Carlos and Coventry University
Dual degree, Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
11. University of San Carlos and Cardiff Metropolitan University
Joint degree, Master of Arts and Design
12. University of Santo Tomas and University of Reading
Dual degree, Doctor of Philosophy in Built Environment/Architecture
13. University of Santo Tomas and University of Leeds
Ladderized program, Master in Public Health (International) with UST to a Postgraduate Certificate with University of Leeds
Enrolment in the above degrees in the Philippines ensures your registration in their counterpart UK universities. Depending on the program you enrol in and the requirements set by both universities, you may be required to briefly go to the UK for a few months to a few years to get your degree.
The programs were selected based on the perceived need of experts in the above fields in the Philippines. For example, the natural science degrees offered will help our country when it comes to coping with climate change, food security, and disaster risk management.
“I think the strategy of many developing countries is that if we want to develop these niche programs is to partner with other institutions that are very strong in these programs,” said Dr. Cynthia Bautista, vice‑president for academic affairs of the University of the Philippines (UP), citing UP’s partnerships in horticulture and meteorology. “That’s the fastest way. So that’s helpful to the country, and we’re working for the common interest of the universities.”
But it doesn’t stop here. CHED officer‑in‑charge Prospero De Vera III said that they are working on forging more partnerships between other Philippine universities and their counterparts not just in the UK but also in Canada. “We are in the process on looking at the policy of transnational education (TNE) and looking at the next batch,” said De Vera during the press conference. “We are committed to continuing the partnership on the side of the Philippine government.” ‑Lucia de Guzman
