THE University of the Philippines and the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) have signed a partnership to collaborate on education policy research through the UP President Edgardo J. Angara Fellowship (UPPEJA) on June 6.
Their memorandum of agreement (MOA) includes the awarding of up to 20 research-fellowship grants through UPPEJA for studies supporting EDCOM II’s priorities in governance and finance. These cover topics ranging from high-impact investments to improve learning quality, future-proofing the Filipino work force, digital transformation, decentralization and participatory governance, as well as complementarity between public and private education, among others.
The UPPEJA Fellowship aims to promote high-level policy discussions and research on a wide range of topics that address national development goals and imperatives such as science and technology, economic development, environment and climate change, good governance and communications.
It is open to all interested and qualified faculty, lecturers, professor emeriti and researchers both in the Philippines and overseas. Among the responsibilities of fellows will include presenting their research output; holding lectures, workshops and seminars; as well as engaging other scholars, policymakers and the business community to stimulate discussions on pressing national issues.
The UPPEJA Fellowship Committee is composed of UP President Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, EDCOM 2 standing committee member and former UP president/chancellor Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman, EDCOM II Advisory Council member Dr. Maria Cynthia Rose Bautista, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara who is also an EDCOM II commissioner.
Present during the signing ceremony were Jimenez, Roman, Bautista, EDCOM II executive director Dr. Karol Mark Yee, UP vice president for Academic Affairs Dr. Leo DP. Cubillan, EDCOM II partnerships officer Jan Erik Chua, plus UP officials and administrators.
“We thank…UP for its support to EDCOM II. The revival of the UPPEJA Fellowship will significantly boost our efforts in understanding complex challenges, as well as [find]ing creative solutions related to the governance and financing of the education sector,” Dr. Yee said during the MOA signing.
He added: “We are excited and thrilled for what’s in-store for [UPPEJA Fellowship] awardees…Hopefully, we spark lively discussions and thoughtful policy recommendations from the brightest minds in the country.”
“This collaboration is UP’s response to its ideal of ‘Service to the Nation,’” Dr. Roman shared. “We do serve the nation in various ways, but doing policy studies that will hopefully improve the education system in the country will be very impactful.”
The UPPEJA fellowship was established by the UP Board of Regents on September 29, 2008 in honor of the late senator Edgardo J. Angara, who served as UP president from 1981 to 1987, and concurrent UP Diliman chancellor from 1982 to 1983.
The former lawmaker was also known for his contributions to Philippine education, as he served as the chairperson of the First Congressional Commission on Education in 1990, which was credited with a number of pioneering reforms in the education sector, including its “trifocalization,” and the “Free Higher Education Act.”
Past awardees of the fellowship include Raul V. Fabella (2011), Raul P. Pangalangan (2011), Ramon Pedro Paterno (2011), Gerardo P. Sicat (2011), Herman Joseph Kraft (2013), Clarissa C. David (2015), Stella Luz A. Quimbo (2015), Caesar A. Saloma (2015), Lucia P. Tangi (2015), and Aileen San Pablo Baviera† (2015).
The UPPEJA Fellowship will release a call for applications within the month.
![[FILE] Students line up at the start of classes for the school year 2023-2024 at Cainta Elementary School in Cainta, Rizal.](https://businessmirror.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/School-opening-80x59.jpeg)
