MANILA (PIA) — The Philippines, through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), is strengthening regional cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation as ASEAN and European Union (EU) partners convened in Manila for the 4th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Higher Education focused on advancing innovation and skills for a sustainable blue economy.
Speaking before education leaders, policymakers, researchers, and development partners, CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Castañeda Agrupis said the dialogue supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship to deliver concrete outcomes that benefit not only Filipinos but also the broader ASEAN community.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has given us clear direction in our chairmanship to use this opportunity not only to showcase the Philippines but, more importantly, to deliver concrete outcomes that benefit not only the Filipino people but ASEAN and its people at large,” Agrupis said.
The CHED chief highlighted the country’s efforts to advance regional cooperation in student mobility, qualifications recognition, digital transformation, and research collaboration, noting that such initiatives have already opened new opportunities for deeper engagement with ASEAN neighbors and international partners.
Central to the discussions was the blue economy, which Agrupis described as both an "economic and educational priority" for the region.
She emphasized that Southeast Asia’s vast marine resources support biodiversity, livelihoods, food security, and economic growth, making sustainable management of oceans and coastal resources essential.
“The challenge is not simply to unlock the ocean’s economic potential, but to do so without undermining the natural systems and coastal communities that sustain it,” she said.
To address this challenge, Agrupis called for stronger investments in human capital, research, and innovation.
She cited CHED initiatives aimed at preparing future professionals and researchers for emerging blue economy industries, including capacity-building programs on fisheries and artificial intelligence-enabled technologies and efforts to integrate sustainability principles into higher education curricula.
She also underscored the importance of aligning higher education and technical-vocational training with industry needs to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills required in rapidly evolving sectors such as sustainable fisheries, maritime industries, marine conservation, and renewable energy.
Among the Philippine chairmanship’s proposed legacy initiatives is ASEAN GEMS Plus, a platform designed to expand regional research collaboration, research mobility, and advanced degree opportunities across ASEAN.
According to Agrupis, the initiative builds on existing regional scholarship mechanisms while placing greater emphasis on joint research and innovation in priority areas, including climate resilience, sustainable fisheries, and marine resource management.
She noted that stronger ASEAN-EU cooperation can help accelerate these goals through expanded university partnerships, academic exchanges, and collaborative research programs.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, in his message to participants, underscored the critical role of education in achieving a sustainable and inclusive blue economy.
“Our seas and coasts sustain livelihoods, food systems, trade, and biodiversity. Their future, however, will depend on our ability to balance economic opportunity with environmental stewardship and social inclusion,” he said.
Kao emphasized that universities and technical-vocational institutions are key drivers of knowledge, innovation, and workforce development, helping prepare researchers, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals capable of supporting sustainable fisheries, maritime transport, coastal tourism, renewable energy, and other blue economy sectors.
He also pointed to the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026–2030, which prioritizes equitable, responsive, and future-ready education systems, along with lifelong learning, digital transformation, research, innovation, and green and emerging skills.
For its part, the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation with ASEAN in higher education, innovation, and sustainable development.
Speaking on behalf of the EU, Dr. Radomir Jansky, Deputy Head of the EU Mission to ASEAN, said the transition toward a sustainable blue economy will depend not only on infrastructure and technology but also on developing the skills, knowledge, and talent needed to support that transformation.
“The success of any blue and green transition depends on whether societies can develop the knowledge, skills, and talent needed to make that transition possible,” Jansky said.
The official highlighted ongoing programs such as the Sustainable Connectivity Package-Higher Education (SCOPE-HE), Erasmus+, and Horizon Europe, which support academic mobility, institutional partnerships, research collaboration, and stronger links between education and labor market needs.
Participants in the dialogue are expected to contribute to the development of the Manila Policy Brief, a document envisioned to contain actionable recommendations for governments, higher education institutions, industry stakeholders, and development partners to advance cooperation in higher education and support sustainable blue economy initiatives.
As the Philippines leads ASEAN in 2026, organizers said the dialogue reflects the country’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration, expanding educational opportunities, and promoting innovation-driven growth while ensuring environmental sustainability and inclusivity.
Agrupis stressed that the long-term objective extends beyond economic gains.
“Ultimately, the purpose of this cooperation extends beyond education and economic growth. It is about securing the future of the ocean and the communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on it,” she said. “With inclusive education, nobody should be left behind.” (JCO/PIA-NCR)
(Photos by Angel Porta/PIA-NCR)
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