In June 2012 the Commissioner and the Deputy Executive Director from the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and a senior university officer visited Australia to look at Australia’s experience with the amalgamation of higher education institutions. Australia’s experience dates back to the late 1980’s, where reforms announced in white paper entitled “Higher education: a policy statement” under then Education Minister John Dawkins resulted in several mergers to create 37 public universities. Since then there have been a small number of mergers that have led to multi-site universities such as Charles Sturt University in NSW.
This was the first visit by a high level education delegation from the Philippines. The four day program included a policy briefing on Australia’s higher education system and visits to University of Canberra, University of Western Sydney, Charles Sturt University in Bathurst and Australian Catholic University.
These Australian universities were chosen as they had recent experience with amalgamations and were able to offer a comprehensive outline of the process and provide a practical perspective for CHED.
This visit was supported by Scott Evans, Counsellor (Education and Research) Bangkok, who has been working in the Philippines to strengthen the government to government relationship.
The delegation from the Philippines with AEI representatives