USAID allots P1.6 B for Phl higher education

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a P1.6-billion ($30 million) program that will help the Philippines’ higher education system become more globally competitive.

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Launched on Tuesday, the US-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation and Lifelong Learning or UPSKILL program will run for five years.

The program was first announced during President Marcos’ visit to the White House in May last year.

Under the UPSKILL program, US universities, Philippine government agencies and private sector partners will work together to strengthen higher education through faculty and staff training, improvements in the curriculum and conduct of more community outreach and technology transfer, according to the US embassy in Manila.

The program is implemented by nonprofit research institute RTI International through a consortium of US universities, including the Arizona State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, with Philippine partners such as Edukasyon.ph and Philippine Business for Education.

It aims to improve Filipino graduates’ qualifications to meet the labor market’s changing needs and enhance linkages between US and Philippine universities.