DFA Mindanao Director Underscores Significance of EAGA Higher Education Network

Left: DFA Mindanao Director Eric R. Aquino cites the significance of the BIMP-EAGA to the delegation. Right: Director Aquino (seated, in white) with the other resource speakers and participants from CHED MIMAROPA, CHED CARAGA and other regions in Mindanao, as well as partner organizations and universities.

DAVAO CITY 15 June 2023 – The Department of Foreign Affairs Mindanao (DFA Mindanao), represented by Director Eric R. Aquino, participated as resource speaker during the Exploratory Meeting on the Planned Philippine-EAGA (P-EAGA) Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Network on 09 June 2023 at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Davao City. 

Director Aquino’s presentation is on the “Significance of EAGA as a Sub-Region in ASEAN,” where he discussed the background of the sub-region cooperation and BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025. 

Other resource speakers include Commission on Higher Education (CHED) XI Director Dr. Maricar R. Casquejo, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Director Rodrigo B. Giducos, MinDA and Socio-Cultural and Education (SCE) Focal Person Mr. Jimmy K. Musa, and CHED MIMAROPA Director and Chair of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for BIMP-EAGA Atty. Joselito C. Alisuag.

The planned Philippine-EAGA (P-EAGA) HEI’s network is a major Philippine commitment under the SCE Pillar of the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025. CHED is committed to spearhead the establishment of the network to increase cooperation among BIMP-EAGA higher education stakeholders and partners towards greater sub-regional development, contribute to ASEAN community-building and help Philippine stakeholders create and expand access to education opportunities through networking and partnerships, as well as to address the gaps in the PH higher education sector.

The two-day meeting was organized by the CHED MIMAROPA, MinDA and partner organizations and universities. END