PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

22 April 2026, MELBOURNE - Ambassador Antonio Morales, together with Consul General Gary Domingo, met with senior officials of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Melbourne, in a discussion aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation as well as vocational education.

The RMIT delegation was led by Vice-President (International) Layton Pike, who highlighted the university’s global footprint and strong presence across Southeast Asia, including Singapore, Indonesia, and Viet Nam. Mr. Pike expressed RMIT’s strong interest in deepening engagement with Philippine institutions, given its programs and offerings as a dual-sector public research university, and to promote innovation and harmonization of education standards.

Ambassador Morales underscored the wide range of collaborative transnational education opportunities, including articulation pathways, academic franchising, branch campuses, joint degrees, and flexible delivery modes such as online, blended, and distance learning.

Professor Pappas noted opportunities in health-related fields, including medical technology, nursing, and laboratory science. He discussed the strong potential for collaboration in higher degree research and PhD programs. He mentioned the success of Filipino academics and their leadership in allied health sciences.

Both sides recognized the importance of addressing workforce shortages in clinical professions and improving healthcare outcomes, especially in delivering care to remote and underserved communities.

The meeting reaffirmed commitment to strengthening collaboration in STEM, building on the Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific and Technical Cooperation signed in 2022 between RMIT and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The MOU supports joint initiatives in health, additive manufacturing, and food innovation.

RMIT hosts more than 300 students from the Philippines, including over 199 enrolled in higher education, most at the postgraduate level, and 101 in vocational education programs. - END

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