On July 4, 2026, the heads of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines, the University of the Philippines (UP) system, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and Nagoya University met at UPLB, together with vice presidents, vice chancellors, and other senior officials, to discuss the implementation of key initiatives under the UP-NU Roadmap 2030. The meeting marked an important step in advancing institutional collaboration in scholarship, education, leadership exchange, and joint research.
The meeting was held at the SEARCA Guest House Function Hall on the UPLB campus and brought together Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Chairperson of CHED; Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, President of the University of the Philippines System; Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Chancellor of UPLB; and Professor Naoshi Sugiyama, President of Nagoya University, along with other senior officials from the participating institutions. The discussions focused on four priority areas identified under the UP-NU Roadmap 2030, a medium- to long-term framework agreed upon by Nagoya University and UPLB to further strengthen cooperation between the two institutions.
One of the main agenda items was the CHED-NU Scholarship Program, which is expected to promote academic exchange and human resource development between the Philippines and Nagoya University. The participants also reviewed the current status of the UP-NU Dual Degree Program, which is intended to expand educational opportunities and further deepen academic ties between the partner institutions.
Another major topic was the 2nd NU-UP Academic Leaders’ Forum. Building on the first forum, the participants discussed plans for the next gathering as a platform for academic dialogue and for further strengthening collaboration between Nagoya University and UPLB.
The meeting also addressed the proposed collaborative research program, including the Nature+ initiative, which is expected to promote joint research in areas of shared academic and societal importance. Together, these agenda items reflected the broad and forward-looking scope of the partnership, spanning education, research, and academic exchange.
The discussions marked an important step in moving the UP-NU Roadmap 2030 from agreement to implementation. The participants confirmed their shared commitment to advancing the initiatives discussed and agreed that detailed follow-up would be carried forward by the joint working groups established between Nagoya University and UP.
The meeting highlighted the growing depth of collaboration among CHED, the University of the Philippines System, UPLB, and Nagoya University, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to creating new opportunities for scholarship, academic leadership, and research cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.
