On October 9, 2024, the Regional Training Center – Korea-Philippines Vocational Training Center (RTC-KPVTC) Davao served as the host for a pivotal Campus Tour and Roundtable Discussion focused on advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) internationalization in Mindanao. This significant event saw participation from a Malaysian delegation that included high-ranking officials from Sarawak’s Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Talent Development (MEITD), Ministry of International Trade, Industry, and Investment (MINTRED), and Sarawak Skills.
The day’s activities began with an extensive campus tour, giving delegates a close-up view of the facilities and programs at RTC-KPVTC Davao. This was followed by a collaborative roundtable discussion attended by representatives from TESDA Mindanao, regional and provincial directors, and leaders from local TVET organizations. The discussions centered on strengthening educational and training partnerships between Mindanao and Sarawak under the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) initiative.
Central topics included harmonizing training standards and curricula to meet the demands of emerging fields like digital technology, renewable energy, and information and communication technology (ICT). The dialogue also explored the potential for launching student and faculty exchanges, with plans to facilitate knowledge-sharing and transfer of expertise between the Philippines and Malaysia.
As a next step, participants agreed to organize an outbound mission to Sarawak, aiming to formalize agreements by the first quarter of the upcoming year. This proposed mission will lay the groundwork for a sustainable collaboration, which promises to elevate skills development and technical education across borders.
