Three Filipino educators are making notable contributions to research and innovation through transnational education (TNE). Jerome Amoranto from Bicol University (BU), Pam Eleazar from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and Brian Chiu from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) are at the forefront of progress in their fields.
Supported by the British Council and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with universities in the Philippines and the UK, TNE programs are designed to elevate Philippine higher education. These programs enable Filipinos to gain local postgraduate qualifications alongside international degrees, aligning with the Transnational Higher Education Law enacted in 2019.
Jerome Amoranto, who earned an MSc in Sustainable Food Systems from the University of Liverpool and an MS in Advanced Biological Sciences from BU, has applied his knowledge to tackle rice security issues. His research on rice paddy fertility through his TNE program has led to increased productivity. “This model not only deepened understanding of nitrogen dynamics in paddy soils but also set the stage for further research, potentially leading to enhanced agricultural practices and greater food production efficiency,” Amoranto said.
Brian Chiu, an architect, examined urban parks in Metro Manila through his dual PhD in Built Environment/Architecture from the University of Reading (UoR) and UST. His work aims to understand urban populations' interactions with their environments. “My methodology could help decision makers managing urban ecosystems to know what values, benefits, and services are associated with people’s engagement in an environmental setting,” Chiu noted.
Pam Eleazar, an assistant professor at UPLB’s College of Development Communication, is pursuing a dual PhD in International and Rural Development at UoR and Research in Development Communication at UPLB. Her research addresses the social aspects of agricultural issues amid outmigration in the agriculture sector. Eleazar emphasized, “Understanding the plight and how to address these problems, in the long run, would benefit not only the farmers but also the policymakers.”
