Miriam College, Loyola Heights, Quezon City — Miriam College (MC) today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Camosun College of British Columbia, Canada, sealing a partnership that will provide students from both colleges the opportunity to pursue undergraduate degrees, higher studies, internship, and cultural programs abroad.
The signing event comes ahead of the opening of MC Alviera, MC’s newest campus in Porac, Pampanga, which is poised to be ‘a gateway to the world’ by providing a global education for a creative generation of learners when it opens its doors to co-ed students in August 2023. The partnership covers all three campuses of Miriam College including Nuvali but it will initially be implemented by MC Alviera as an extension program.
“We’re very excited to be bringing Camosun programs to the world,” said Dr. Lane Trotter, president of Camosun College, during the signing event. “The collaboration with Miriam College means students in the Philippines can start their Canadian educational study closer to home. It also means giving Canadian and other students an exciting study option in the Philippines, while giving them the option to complete some of the studies overseas.”
MC-Camosun international programs
Currently, three international programs cover the two institution’s partnership. First is the Miriam International Stream (MIS) program that will allow future graduates of Miriam College Alviera to pursue a post graduate degree and complete their academic credentials at Camosun College. Under this agreement, students will receive benefits that include but are not limited to priority admission, 10% tuition discount in the first academic year, access to international scholarship, and cultural and academic support.
Second is the Miriam and Camosun International Stream (MCIS) or the 2 + 2 program which provides a streamlined pathway for students at both schools to study in Canada and the Philippines. Those who will complete two years of study at MC Alviera will earn credits needed for them to continue the remaining two years at Camosun College, where they can get their bachelor’s degree and qualify for a Post Graduate Work Permit of up to three years. The same applies to Camosun students who wish to pursue their degree at Miriam College.
Third is the reciprocal Student Exchange Program which will allow both MC Alviera and Camosun College students to attend one or two semesters at the host school, waiving local tuition. Students under this program only need to pay the equivalent of MC Alviera’s tuition and get the opportunity to be immersed in the academic, cultural, and language programs of Camosun College. The same applies for Camosun College students availing of the program.
Most of MC Alviera’s courses are aligned with Camosun College’s extensive offerings, giving its students a promising path on which to continue and pursue higher studies in Canada. Courses include a TVET Certificate in Digital Animation, Bachelor of Design in Creative Industries, Bachelor of Science Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Bachelor of Early Childhood. They are tailored to encourage students to build on their own strengths thus the school’s tagline, ‘Design your possibilities. Stand out!’
The partnership complements MC Alviera’s vision to provide more international opportunities for student mobility, faculty exchange, and experiential immersion for the community.
“The partnership allows both colleges to implement their vision on transnational education that can enrich each other through their own uniqueness,” said Miriam College President, Amb. Laura Quiambao-Del Rosario, during the event. “More than ever, it is important for nationals of any country to learn the story and the history of the citizens of another as everybody grapples with complex issues affecting all nations, from local ones to global challenges, and how each country finds solutions to such challenges,” she adds.
Present during the signing were Dr. Jasmin Nario-Galace, Miriam College Vice President for Academic Affairs, together with Camosun College representatives Geoff Wilmhurst, Vice President for Partnerships; Richard Stride, Dean of Business; Christiaan Bernard, Director of Camosun International, and Jennifer Montero, Regional Manager.
The Miriam and Camosun partnership is the first of its kind between a Philippine and a Canadian college.
