Australia and the Philippines: Best partners in education

As I travel around the Philippines, I am always delighted to meet Filipinos who have studied in Australia. From Baguio to Manila, Bohol to Davao, I frequently meet alumni of Australian universities who are now government officials, business managers, health practitioners, development leaders, and even celebrities in arts and entertainment.

Education is a cornerstone of the strong and enduring friendship between Australia and the Philippines. Our education partnership dates back to the 1950s, when future Filipino leaders built their knowledge, enhanced their leadership skills, and forged enduring ties as scholars in Australia, supported under the Colombo Plan.

We continue to build on these strong ties. Australia has invested in extensive scholarship opportunities for Filipinos to study throughout Australia at key universities, and Defence personnel are also supported to train and study in Australia. This investment reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to make a lasting contribution to Philippine development through education.

Education is an area of strength and excellence in Australia and Sydney is home to more international students than any other city in the world. There are growing numbers of Filipino students studying in Australia in a range of fields, such as Business, Health and IT. Even without leaving home, more than 30 institutions are providing Filipino students with access to Australian qualifications in the Philippines through education partnerships. Given this, it is no surprise that I meet so many Australian alumni all over the Philippines!

When scholars return to the Philippines or complete their studies, we also recognise the importance of strong alumni associations, including the Philippines Australia Alumni Association, in supporting students to build networks, succeed professionally and give back to their communities.

Education is a priority for Australian development assistance in the Philippines. Australia is the largest donor to the Philippine  education sector, with an annual investment of over P2 billion (A$50 million). Our program supports the Philippine Government’s efforts to deliver quality basic education as a pathway for stronger economic development. Travelling around the country I have been fortunate to visit many schools and see the practical results of Australian assistance.

Local culture is an important feature of Australia’s assistance, too. In areas where we work with indigenous communities, it is heart-warming to hear how our Philippines Response to Indigenous and Muslim Education (PRIME) program has helped to keep indigenous cultures alive and make them part of the school curriculum. As part of this assistance, Australia is supporting the national Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program, which aims to improve learning outcomes and provide teacher training in schools with populations of Muslim children.

When Foreign Minister Julie Bishop visited Manila in February this year she announced new funding of P6 billion (A$150 million) to support the Philippine Government’s Kindergarten to Year 12 (K to 12) reform. This support will make our education partnership even stronger.

We hope Australia’s support to K to 12 will not only help to deliver quality education to younger students but also help to effect changes in tertiary education — assisting Philippine universities to meet the standards for recognition of Philippine qualifications overseas.

And university students are the focus of the New Colombo Plan — a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to build our people-to-people and institutional linkages by supporting the best and brightest young Australians to study in the region. I am excited by the prospect of more Australian students studying in the Philippines, with the program set to commence here in 2015.

This comprehensive education partnership between Australia and the Philippines reflects a relationship which is both broad and deep. I am pleased that through our investments in education we are helping the Philippines prepare for sustainable economic growth and future prosperity. And I am delighted that new opportunities exist in education to build on these enduring ties.

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(Bill Tweddell is the Ambassador of Australia.)