Pangasinan State University (PSU), through its Office of the Vice President for Local and International Affairs (OVPLIA), is strengthening its international engagement with Canadian higher education institutions following its participation in the Building Bridges in Higher Education: Canada–Philippines Partnership Forum held on March 2, 2026 at The Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros, Manila.
Organized to enhance academic collaboration between Canada and the Philippines, the forum gathered Philippine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions alongside approximately 20 Canadian universities, colleges, and polytechnics. The event featured policy discussions, presentations on emerging trends in higher education, fireside conversations, and structured business-to-business (B2B) meetings aimed at establishing sustainable institutional partnerships.
The forum underscores the growing partnership between the two countries in advancing academic excellence, research development, and workforce readiness. Anchored under the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) ACHIEVE initiative and aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2025–2028, the event supports Outcome 2, which focuses on strengthening globally competitive and inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education systems, while enhancing research output to support a broader knowledge economy.
During the discussions, participants highlighted existing Government-to-Government (G2G) and Government-to-Institution (G2I) collaborations with leading Canadian organizations and institutions. Engagements further extend to provincial partners, including the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of Saskatchewan, along with institutions from Nova Scotia and British Columbia, reflecting a broad and dynamic network of academic collaboration.
Representing PSU in the forum were Ms. Leizel M. Del Castillo, Director for International Relations; Dr. Krigher C. Simbulan, Head for Faculty and Student Mobility; and Mr. Zon Laurence M. Bautista, OVPLIA Secretary.
The PSU delegation joined education leaders, policymakers, and institutional representatives in exploring opportunities for academic exchange, collaborative research, and institutional partnerships between Canadian and Philippine higher education institutions.
This PSU engagement was made possible through the strong leadership and support of PSU University President Dr. Elbert M. Galas, together with VP for Local and International Affairs, Dr. Renato E. Salcedo, whose commitment to strengthening internationalization initiatives enables the University to expand global opportunities for students, faculty, and institutional partners.
Through this forum, PSU reaffirms its commitment to building meaningful international partnerships, strengthening research collaboration, and preparing globally competitive graduates in an increasingly interconnected world.
