The British Council and the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc. have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the international competitiveness of Philippine state universities and colleges (SUCs).
The agreement, sealed during the AACCUP Presidents’ Summit on August 14, 2025, lays the groundwork for enhanced collaboration on transnational education (TNE), research, and internationalization across SUCs nationwide. Leading the signing ceremony were British Council Country Director Lotus Postrado and AACCUP President and Chairman Dr. Anthony M. Penaso.
Under the partnership, programs will be developed to build institutional capacity in research, TNE, and internationalization. The deal also involves working with UK-based quality assurance agencies and universities, upgrading AACCUP accreditation standards to integrate internationalization metrics, and expanding English language assessments for students and staff through British Council tools such as IELTS and Aptis.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing the quality of education in the Philippines and fostering global linkages,” said Dr. Penaso.
Lotus Postrado added, “The British Council is proud to support AACCUP in its mission to elevate Philippine higher education. Through this collaboration, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and institutions to thrive in an increasingly global academic landscape.”
Both organizations will jointly conduct consultation workshops with universities and assessors to finalize new internationalization standards. The initiative is designed to support SUCs in co-developing academic programs in emerging, high-demand fields, expand faculty expertise, and open access to global academic networks.
For students, the collaboration means exposure to broader learning opportunities, international perspectives, and improved employability prospects.
“We are excited to work with the British Council to empower our institutions and educators,” Dr. Penaso emphasized.
The partnership aligns with the Philippines’ education reform agenda, focusing on inclusive, future-ready, and globally competitive higher education. Witnesses to the signing included Dr. Milabel E. Ho, Executive Director of AACCUP; Gerald T. Magno, Head of Education at the British Council Philippines; and presidents of various SUCs.
By driving innovation, research, and international collaboration, the agreement empowers SUCs to expand their global reach and prepare graduates for a fast-changing, interconnected world.