The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) officially became one of the 15 founding Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines (CSAP) during a high-level ceremonial launch and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at SPACE at One Ayala in Makati City.
UPV’s selection as a founding member is the culmination of its active engagement in two US-PH Global Partnership Workshops held in August 2024 and November 2025, and led by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF). These preparatory activities were designed to improve the capacity of Philippine HEIs in developing two-way academic exchanges, streamlining study abroad planning, and advancing long-term bilateral partnerships with U.S.-based universities and colleges.
Cementing the partnership, the MOU between UPV and PAEF was signed by UPV Chancellor Clement C. Camposano and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer. During the launch, the University was officially represented by Chancellor Camposano and Dr. Mary Grace Sedanza, the UPV Coordinator for CSAP and a member of the UPV Committee for External Linkages.
Spearheaded by PAEF (also known as Fulbright Philippines), alongside the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, CSAP aims to position the country as a premier educational destination. The initiative unites the top 15 HEIs into a streamlined network, creating a direct pipeline for U.S. universities to send students to the Philippines for short-term courses, semester exchanges, and faculty-led programs.
The consortium offers a wide array of programs ranging from Marine Biology and Tropical Medicine to Development Studies and Asian Politics. Highlighting its regional and national expertise, UPV will specifically offer a specialized study abroad program focused on Tropical Fisheries and Coastal Sustainability.
Following the formal convocation and the signing of the newest institutional partners, the delegation celebrated the PAEF 78th Anniversary Reception. The gathering served as a unique historical crossroads, bringing together high-ranking government officials from both nations and influential industry leaders.
The evening not only celebrated the inception of CSAP but also honored 80 years of the global Fulbright Program and eight decades of enduring people-to-people ties between the United States and the Philippines, reinforcing a shared commitment to global academic excellence.
For more information about the program, visit this website. https://share.google/qrtVM5S0mn4id2Vuj.
Written by Mary Grace C. Sedanza
Photo credits: PAEF (Fulbright Philippines)
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