Philippine Embassy, CHED Reaffirm Commitment To Strengthen PH-JP Educational and Research Linkages
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (5th from left) during the courtesy call of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), led by Commissioner Ricmar P. Tolentino (5th from right), and representatives of Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs) on 01 September 2025 at the Philippine Embassy. Also in the photo are (from left to right) Dr. Parsons N. Hail, Director, International Affairs Office, Central Luzon State University; Ms. Li Toni Dominique A. Sua, Assistant School Director, Universidad de Dagupan; Dr. Feliza Arsadon-Sua, President, Universidad de Dagupan; Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes, President, Visayas State University; Dr. Rotacio S. Gravoso, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Visayas State University; Ms. Elma C. Paz, Education Program Specialist II and Desk Officer for Asia Pacific Region, International Affairs Service of CHED (IAS-CHED); Ms. Jasmin Kathy Verzola, Director, External Affairs and International Linkages, Universidad de Dagupan; and Ms. Ma. Celina Marino, Education Program Specialist I and Focal for TNHE Application, IAS-CHED.
TOKYO, 02 September 2025 – Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano welcomed Commissioner Ricmar P. Aquino of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), together with CHED officials and representatives of Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs), at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on 01 September 2025 during their high-level visit to Japan this week.
Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (center) discussed initiatives to strengthen Philippines-Japan cooperation on higher education during the courtesy call of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and representatives of Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs), led by Commissioner Ricmar P. Tolentino (4th from left).
Ambassador Garcia-Albano emphasized the importance of strengthening Philippines–Japan cooperation in higher education, particularly in the fields of research, science, and technology, while also exploring emerging areas such as early childhood education. In response, Commissioner Aquino presented CHED’s priority programs, including the expansion of research initiatives among PHEIs. The PHEI representatives shared their existing international linkages with Japanese institutions and expressed strong interest in pursuing further academic partnerships during their visit.
To maximize opportunities for collaboration, the Philippine Embassy also facilitated an engagement between CHED, PHEI representatives, and the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ) Executive Committee, led by its President, Mr. Kevin Brandon Saure. AFSJ presented its initiatives to support Filipino students in Japan and the Philippines through academic exchanges, learning platforms, and socio-cultural programs, and sought CHED’s support for its future projects.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), led by Commissioner Ricmar P. Aquino, during its meeting with the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ), led by its President, Mr. Kevin Brandon Saure, during the meeting organized by the Philippine Embassy on 01 September 2025.
Commissioner Aquino and the PHEI officials welcomed AFSJ’s initiatives and expressed particular interest in supporting pathways for the professional growth of returning Filipino scholars and in participating in AFSJ’s annual colloquiums.
Group photo of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), led by Commissioner Ricmar P. Aquino (center, right), and the Association of Filipino Students in Japan (AFSJ), led by its President, Mr. Kevin Brandon Saure (center, left), after the meeting organized by the Philippine Embassy.
On 02 September 2025, the Embassy coordinated an initial exchange between the delegation and Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU), led by Dr. Oussouby Sacko, Executive Director and Adjunct Professor at the International Center. The meeting explored prospective collaborations on research, student and faculty mobility, and transnational education, in line with Republic Act No. 11448, or the Transnational Education Act of 2018, which advances the internationalization of Philippine higher education.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Ricmar P. Aquino delivered his remarks during the initial meeting between CHED and representatives of Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs), and the Tokyo Metropolitan University on 02 September 2025, arranged by the Philippine Embassy.
Following the Tokyo leg of their visit, the delegation is scheduled to proceed to Nagoya and Osaka for further engagements with academic institutions and courtesy calls at the Philippine Consulates General.
Group photo after the meeting between CHED and representatives of Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs), and the Tokyo Metropolitan University on 02 September 2025, arranged by the Philippine Embassy. TMU was led by Dr. Oussouby Sacko, Executive Director and Adjunct Professor at International Center (second row, 5th from right).
Commissioner Aquino was joined by Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes, President, Visayas State University; Dr. Feliza Arsadon-Sua, President, Universidad de Dagupan; Dr. Rotacio S. Gravoso, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Visayas State University; Dr. Parsons N. Hail, Director, International Affairs Office, Central Luzon State University; Dr. Laurene Chua-Garcia, Managing Director, Strategy & Innovation at Picasso Management Group Inc.. and Member of the Technical Committee for Transnational Education (TCTNE) of CHED; Ms. Elma C. Paz, Education Program Specialist II and Desk Officer for Asia Pacific Region, International Affairs Service of CHED (IAS-CHED); Ms. Ma. Celina Marino, Education Program Specialist I and Focal for TNHE Application, IAS-CHED; Ms. Jasmin Kathy Verzola, Director, External Affairs and International Linkages, Universidad de Dagupan; and Ms. Li Toni Dominique A. Sua, Assistant School Director, Universidad de Dagupan, during the delegation’s visit to Tokyo.
