Mountain View College Secures Prestigious CHED–CBIE Grant for Global Academic Excellence

Mountain View College of the Seventh-day Adventists, Inc. is one of only 30 Philippine higher education institutions awarded the CHED–CBIE Grant, a program designed to advance internationalization and strengthen Philippines–Canada linkages. Following a rigorous selection process that began on January 30, 2026, the final list of grantees was announced on February 10. The initiative officially commenced with synchronous online training on February 13 and 20, followed by an intensive in-person session held from March 1–6 at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, and concluded with extended asynchronous virtual sessions for both Beginner and Advanced cohorts through March 27, 2026.

The CHED–CBIE Project, “Leading Internationalization: Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Canada–Philippines Linkages,” is a joint initiative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) aimed at advancing the global competitiveness of Philippine higher education institutions. Designed to equip HEIs with the tools to thrive in an increasingly interconnected academic landscape, the project promotes meaningful internationalization through strategic partnerships with Canadian institutions. It prioritizes key areas such as institutional capacity building, academic and research collaboration, faculty and staff development, expanded student mobility and global exposure, and the strengthening of Canada–Philippines linkages.

Applications to the project underwent a rigorous evaluation led by the CHED International Affairs Service, headed by Director-in-Charge Dr. Christine Nabor Ferrer, in collaboration with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) and the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines. Submissions were assessed based on compliance with documentary requirements and a comprehensive set of institutional and individual criteria. These included institutional commitment and readiness, capacity and infrastructure for internationalization, representation and inclusion, potential for impact and scalability, as well as eligibility per tier. Individual nominees were likewise evaluated on their experience, motivation, leadership and influence, commitment to equity and inclusivity, and the alignment of their roles and qualifications with the project’s objectives.

The 30 selected Philippine HEIs reflect a balanced representation of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and private institutions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each institution designated one senior-level (Advanced) participant and two junior-level (Beginner) participants, forming cohorts of 30 Advanced participants, 60 Beginner participants, and 10 CHED representatives. Mountain View College was represented by Charity Joy L. Sumagaysay, Coordinator of the Office of International Cooperation and Networking and Liaison Officer for Foreign Students, who successfully completed both the Beginner and Advanced levels of the program. The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) covered the full cost of training and provided six nights of hotel accommodation with complimentary breakfasts on a shared-room basis, while CHED supported participants with meals throughout the training, including snacks, lunch, and dinner. Travel expenses, daily allowances, and other incidental costs were shouldered by the respective sending institutions.

The International Education Professional (IE-Pro) online training courses were delivered under the CBIE Leading Internationalization project, with support from Global Affairs Canada through the Indo-Pacific Strategy’s Regional Connectivity Envelope. Tailored specifically for the CBIE–CHED collaboration, the courses integrate Canadian and ASEAN perspectives while addressing the practical realities of internationalization in today’s higher education landscape. They emphasize core concepts, leadership practices, and regional contexts, with a strong focus on fostering sustainable partnerships between Canada and the Philippines.

The CBIE training team includes Dr. Sonja Knutson, Co-Founder of NourishED International (NEDI) and Adjunct Professor at Memorial University; Dr. Chelsey Laird, Advisor for Partnerships and Development at the Canadian Bureau for International Education and Director of University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP); Dr. Yazrina Yahya, Associate Professor at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Director of the UKM PERMATA@Smart National Center; and Melissa Toupin Laforge, Associate Director of Research and Learning at the Canadian Bureau for International Education.

Prior to the intensive in-person training, the Embassy of Canada in Manila, the Alberta Bureau for International Education (ABIE), and the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) co-hosted the Building Bridges in Higher Education: Canada–Philippines Partnership Forum. The forum brought together Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) and TVET providers actively pursuing strategic internationalization and transnational education (TNE) initiatives aligned with institutional growth, quality assurance, and national development priorities.

With the participation of around 20 Canadian universities, colleges, and polytechnics, the event served as a focused platform for exploring long-term institutional partnerships. Key areas of collaboration included transnational education models—such as twinning, joint, and dual credential programs—alongside cross-border and blended delivery, faculty development, curriculum co-design, academic mobility, applied research, innovation, graduate education, and talent development aligned with both national and global workforce needs.

The morning plenary session featured insights from key Philippine agencies, including the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), providing strategic and policy context for international collaboration. Participants also engaged in panel discussions, focused group sessions, and structured business-to-business (B2B) and networking meetings, all designed to move institutions beyond initial dialogue toward implementable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial partnerships grounded in academic quality, institutional readiness, and long-term viability.

The forum was particularly relevant for institutions with established or emerging internationalization strategies, those exploring or scaling transnational education initiatives, those seeking reputable global partners for academic excellence and innovation, and those prepared to invest in long-term, institution-to-institution collaboration.

The CHED–CBIE Project strongly aligns with Mountain View College’s strategic development plan, which emphasizes building meaningful collaborations and linkages among academic institutions, alumni, the community, and key stakeholders. It likewise advances the college’s strategic internationalization plan by institutionalizing internationalization governance and systems, enriching globally oriented curricula and learning experiences, expanding faculty and staff engagement, strengthening international research and extension initiatives, and enhancing global partnerships and visibility. In doing so, the initiative contributes to the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by promoting inclusive, high-quality education, fostering international collaboration, and supporting innovation-driven academic environments.

Participation in the CHED–CBIE Project provides critical leadership training for international education professionals, equipping MVC’s internationalization leaders with the expertise needed to drive institutional transformation and global engagement. By strengthening organizational capacity, the initiative reinforces the college’s commitment to excellence in instruction, research, and extension services, ultimately enhancing student success and global competitiveness. More importantly, the project affirms and advances Mountain View College’s institutional statements—anchored in faith, service, and academic excellence—by promoting a wholistic Adventist education that nurtures Christ-centered, service-oriented, and globally responsive graduates. In this way, MVC not only upholds its mission but also contributes meaningfully to the broader global agenda for sustainable and inclusive development.