CHED Mission to New Zealand Opens New Opportunities for BukSU’s Global Engagement

Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, President of Bukidnon State University (BukSU), participated in the Philippine High-Level Mission to New Zealand, organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), from June 22 to 28, 2025. The mission aimed to strengthen bilateral higher education cooperation through strategic engagements with education ministries, quality assurance agencies, and universities across New Zealand.

The delegation, composed of CHED officials and university presidents, held key meetings to follow through on initiatives from the August 2024 PH-NZ education mission. These engagements focused on expanding collaboration on micro-credentialing, vocational and higher education linkages, and the recognition of indigenous knowledge systems. The mission also reinforced efforts to prepare for a formal higher education agreement between the Philippines and New Zealand in 2026, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In Wellington, the delegation held an initial meeting with Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand, H.E. Kira Christianne D. Azucena. Discussions underscored the potential for enhanced academic cooperation, particularly in micro-credentials, scholarship opportunities, and global learner programs. Dr. Mirasol noted the alignment of these initiatives with BukSU’s Strategic Internationalization Plan and its proposed Lifelong Learning Center.

At the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), the delegation was oriented on the NZ Qualifications Framework and its mechanisms for quality assurance, stackable learning, and credit transfer. These frameworks provided a benchmark for developing responsive micro-credentialing systems at BukSU that meet both industry and international standards.

The delegation also engaged with Universities New Zealand to explore long-term institutional linkages. Discussions highlighted priority areas such as collaborative research on climate resilience and indigenous inclusion, structured faculty and student mobility programs, and credit transfer mechanisms supported by micro-credentialing.

As part of the Indigenous Education Initiatives stream, Dr. Mirasol visited Massey University and observed how Māori culture is embedded in the university’s academic programs and governance structures. The visit reinforced BukSU’s commitment to integrating Lumad knowledge systems into its curriculum and to co-developing community-engaged research with indigenous partners.

The mission concluded with a visit to the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, where the delegation engaged in academic dialogues and toured interdisciplinary learning spaces, including Kōawa Studios. The visit provided insights into how learner-centered design, academic freedom, and innovation can be harmonized within institutional development.

Reflecting on the mission, Dr. Mirasol emphasized the importance of aligning institutional strategies with global benchmarks:

“This mission affirmed the value of people-to-people partnerships in higher education. The frameworks and best practices we encountered in New Zealand offer a practical and aspirational guide as we move forward with BukSU’s commitment to inclusive, internationally aligned, and culturally grounded academic programs. Our deepest gratitude to the Commission on Higher Education for including BukSU in this initiative.”

Dr. Mirasol’s participation in the mission affirms BukSU’s commitment to internationalization, inclusion, and innovation in higher education. The university is currently taking steps to formalize its international engagements through its Letter of Intent to CHED-IAS and by developing policy and institutional mechanisms aligned with global standards. (Joanne Vivien B. Necosia, Director, Presidential Management Staff)