The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF, or Fulbright Philippines), signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently to promote collaboration between both organizations in establishing scholarship and training programs for space science.
The MOU was signed by Acting Honorary Chairman of the PAEF Board of Directors Heather Variava, also the US Embassy in the Philippines Chargés d’affaires, and the Philippine Space Agency Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr. The signing was held at the PAEF office in Mandaluyong City, a PhilSA news release said.
The MOU shall establish scholarship and training programs for space science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and related fields, such as space law and policy, business, economics, international relations and diplomacy, and communications.
It will also explore a partnership between PAEF and PhilSA through workshops and educational exchanges to further promote and pursue space education towards future participants.
Upon the signing of the MOU, PhilSA and PAEF will implement scholarships, training programs and other educational exchanges through degree and nondegree studies, research for Filipinos in universities and the United States.
The programs will cater to Filipinos interested in learning or developing their mastery in the field of space science and technology applications. The programs to be introduced would also bring in experts from the United States to conduct professional lecturing and research.
PhilSA said implementing the trainings and scholarships as an act of cooperation would contribute to the mutual understanding between the space agency and the foundation.
It would also help in strengthening cordial relations between the two institutions, and maximizing the continuing cooperation between the Philippines and the United States.
The MOU was built on the agreement that the Philippines and the United States would identify space technology as a target area for cooperation under the US-Philippine Science and Technology Agreement signed in 2019.
“The United States is proud to support the Philippines’ commitment to the peaceful use of space. Through the US-Philippines Science and Technology Agreement, we look forward to deepening cooperation with PhilSA to explore the scientific, commercial, and national security benefits of space technology.” Variava said in a brief message before the signing.
Marciano said: “It is my fervent hope that the PhilSA-PAEF partnership will inspire the Filipino people and elevate the status of space science and technology in the Philippines toward a robust space ecosystem that adds and creates value in space from Filipinos, for Filipinos, and for the world,” the PhilSA news release said.
Image credits: PhilSA photo