Saskatchewan's Minister of Advanced Education Ken Cheveldayoff completed a successful visit to Manila, strengthening the growing partnership between Saskatchewan and the Philippines in education, research, and clean energy.
During the visit, Minister Cheveldayoff co-chaired a Joint Working Group meeting with Mario Marasigan, Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Energy, focusing on advancing collaboration in clean energy and nuclear workforce development that benefits both jurisdictions.
Representatives from Saskatchewan's top post-secondary institutions - the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic - joined the Minister. They met with key Philippine government partners from the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Department of Science and Technology, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the Department of Agriculture and Unilab Education Inc. to explore expanded collaboration in education, research, and innovation, particularly in agriculture and energy where both sides have built strong and mutually beneficial ties.
As part of the visit, Minister Cheveldayoff hosted the Friends of Saskatchewan Networking Reception, bringing together over 140 representatives from Philippine universities, government agencies, industry, and education partners.
The reception celebrated existing partnerships and fostered new connections that advance sustainable development and strengthen collaboration between Saskatchewan and Philippine institutions.
In his opening remarks at the reception, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman highlighted the enduring and collaborative relationship between Canada and the Philippines saying, "Canada and the Philippines share a long history of friendship, collaboration, and people-to-people ties. Saskatchewan holds a special place in this relationship, with growing cooperation in education, agriculture, and energy."
The visit reinforces Saskatchewan's commitment to strengthening partnerships with the Philippines in higher education, research, innovation, and workforce development, advancing initiatives that benefit both jurisdictions.