British Council, AACCUP sign pact to boost PH higher ed

The British Council and the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen global competitiveness and quality among state universities and colleges.

The three-year partnership was formalized during the AACCUP Presidents’ Summit on August 14, 2025, led by British Council Country Director Lotus Postrado and AACCUP President and Chairman Dr. Anthony M. Penaso.

The collaboration aims to enhance transnational education, internationalisation, and research among Philippine state universities and colleges.

Key initiatives include developing programs that build institutional capacity in research and internationalisation, upgrading accreditation standards to cover global benchmarks, and forging partnerships with UK-based quality assurance bodies and universities.

The agreement also includes English language assessments for students and faculty using British Council tools such as IELTS and Aptis, alongside training sessions in English language teaching, learning, and assessment.

Consultation workshops with AACCUP member universities and assessors will be conducted to finalize internationalisation standards that will guide institutions in achieving internationally recognized academic excellence.

According to AACCUP, strengthening transnational education and collaborative research allows state universities to co-develop programs in emerging disciplines, expand faculty expertise, and connect with global academic networks.

For students, this means access to broader learning opportunities, diverse perspectives, and improved employability outcomes.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing the quality of education in the Philippines and fostering global linkages,” said Dr. Penaso.

“We are excited to work with the British Council to empower our institutions and educators,” he added.

Lotus Postrado said the collaboration reflects the British Council’s support for Philippine higher education.

“The British Council is proud to support AACCUP in its mission to elevate Philippine higher education,” Postrado said.

“Through this collaboration, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and institutions to thrive in an increasingly global academic landscape,” she added.

The signing was also witnessed by AACCUP Executive Director Dr. Milabel E. Ho, British Council Philippines Head of Education Gerald T. Magno, and presidents of several state universities and colleges.

Officials said the initiative aligns with the Philippines’ education reform agenda by driving innovation, strengthening research, and ensuring inclusive and internationally competitive higher education.