Nova Scotia Minister Visits Benilde to Deepen International Education Ties
Nova Scotia Minister Visits Benilde to Deepen International Education Ties
25 June 2025
Hon. Brendan Maguire, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Advanced Education, visited De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila to explore new pathways for academic exchange, student mobility, and collaboration between Philippine and Canadian higher education institutions. He was joined by Deputy Minister Tracey Barbick and other officials from the Nova Scotia government and the Canadian Embassy.
The meeting focused on expanding Benilde’s partnership with Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), one of Canada’s largest public institutions for applied learning. The two institutions have already worked together through online learning activities, internship exchanges, and collaborative culinary programs. One example was the cooking demonstration at Benilde in February 2024, led by Chef Thomas Carey and attended by Kent Smith, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
The collaboration continues this year with four Benildean students scheduled to study in Canada for one semester starting this September—two from the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM), enrolled in either Culinary Arts Management or Tourism Management, and two from the School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT), under the Information Systems program. While SHRIM has previously sent SEED scholars, this marks the first time for students from the Information Systems program to participate in the scholarship.
During the meeting, both parties explored new possibilities for joint academic programs. These include curriculum mapping and potential pathways for students from Benilde to complete diploma programs at NSCC in fields like information technology, software development, cybersecurity, and business analytics. There is also interest in developing shared learning formats such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and short-term exchanges for faculty and students.
Discussions at a lunch meeting that followed highlighted additional themes. Representatives emphasized the importance of creating support systems for Filipino students abroad, including housing options, dormitory arrangements, and homestay experiences. Nova Scotia’s reputation for safety, hospitality, and a growing Filipino community was described as a valuable environment for international learners.
The conversation also covered the rising importance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in education. Representatives shared their efforts in training faculty, forming AI policy guidelines, and teaching students how to responsibly use modern tools. NSCC and Benilde are exploring academic cooperation in areas like app development, cybersecurity, rapid prototyping, and data science.
The visit also opened doors to work with other institutions in Nova Scotia. Benilde and the delegation discussed possible collaborations in joint research, transnational education, and the sharing of resources and expertise across campuses. Both parties expressed strong interest in a two-way exchange of students and faculty, aiming to create meaningful cross-cultural experiences.
This builds on Benilde’s ongoing engagement with Canadian partners beyond Nova Scotia. In October 2024, the College signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Red River College Polytechnic, Manitoba’s leading applied learning institution. The partnership covers areas such as media arts, research, and global classroom programs.
Earlier that year, Benilde also hosted students from Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U) for hands-on workshops in photography and new media. The visiting Canadian students joined Benildeans in a two-week series of collaborative classes, including alternative processes, darkroom techniques, and sustainability in the arts.
These Canadian partnerships add to Benilde’s record as a trusted global academic partner. In one example, Benildean student Jeremih Lei Liporada completed a fully funded Canada-ASEAN SEED scholarship at NSCC in Halifax, where she earned academic credits and served as a student leader. She described the experience as life-changing and encouraged others to step outside their comfort zones and embrace opportunities for growth.
With these growing collaborations, Benilde continues to create meaningful experiences for students, while contributing to international education and innovation. The College and its partners in Canada aim to build more pathways for global learning in the years to come.
For more information on Benilde Global, the College’s internationalization program, contact the Center for External Linkages at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1515 or global@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit www.benilde.edu.ph/global.
