In the efforts to bolster the internationalization of its programs, the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) during the 2024 GDLN Asia Pacific and Global Board Meeting on September 25, 2024, at the USeP Obrero Campus, Davao City.
University President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr., witnessed by Assoc. Prof. Gladys Florangel I. Ortiz, signed the MoU with the Network, through GDLN Global Secretariat Head Professor Haiyoung Yun of Korea Development Institute of Public Policy and Management, accompanied by GDLN Global Board member Maree Tait.
The MoU aims to strengthen the relations and mutual understanding between the institutions and develop academic and cultural exchanges in the areas of education, research, and related activities.
As stipulated in the memorandum, both institutions agreed to use their best endeavors to cooperate in mutually beneficial areas of education such as guest lecture programs; professional development programs and executive courses; cooperation in research and development meetings, symposiums, or conferences; and others such as education, training, and research initiatives.
The signing of the MoU comes on occasion with USeP hosting the Meeting on September 25-26, 2024; offering the University a unique opportunity to engage with participating visitors from various overseas institutions to further the internationalization agenda.
Attending in person during the meeting were representatives from the World Bank Group, SEAMEO INNOTECH, KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Finance Education and Training Agency (FETA) – Ministry of Finance Republic of Indonesia, NU Asia Pacific Academy, AI Labs Sdn Bhd; Distance Learning Centre Ltd; Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET; University of Northern Philippines, Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) and ANU-Crawford School of Public Policy.
Attending online were representatives from Saylor Academy, World Bank and African Development Bank; Blended Learning International; Australian National University; Tec de Monterrey; Universidad Iberoamericana; Ho Chi Minh City Cadre Academy; Board of Investment, PMO; and International Poverty Reduction Center (IPRC) of China.
GDLN, being initiated in 2000 with 11 centers first across Africa and later to the Asia Pacific and other regions, envisions closing the ‘global digital divide’ about the ‘great disparities in the opportunity to access the internet and the information and educational/business opportunities between developed and developing countries’.
The University has been a member of the GDLN Asia Pacific since January 2023.
