Central Luzon seen to be the next "Brain Capital" of the Philippines
Central Luzon is set to become the country’s “Brain Capital” with the signing (May 19, 2014) of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the University of the Philippines (UP) that would establish a global campus for the premier state university in Clark Green City.
BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Arnel Casanova and UP President Alfredo Pascual signed the MOU in simple rites held at the UP’s Executive House in Diliman, Quezon City.
Casanova said that UP, being the first locator in the country’s soon-to-be most modern, sustainable, hi-tech and globally connected city, has now branded Clark Green City as the knowledge and innovation capital of the country.
He said the UP global campus will serve as a training ground for a generation that will position the Clark Green City as a symbol of innovation—further detailed by its capability of uplifting the quality of life of every human being that will live and work there in the Clark Green City.
“The UP global campus in Clark Green City will position the Philippines as the nation of global citizens—being an English speaking nation in a country hosting a hub for global education and knowledge center. It will also promote the Clark Freeport Zone and soon, the Clark Green City, as an intellectual hub for science and technology education and research,” Casanova said.
BCDA is also inviting the top global educational institutions to establish their Asia-Pacific centers in the Clark Green City. “We expect Ivy-league schools and top European schools to express interest to locate,” Casanova said.
He noted that the new UP global campus will be the melting pot of new technologies, innovation, and creative industries.
Casanova said the UP global campus in Clark Green City will not only produce the country’s best graduates, it will also be the source for the Clark Green City’s excellent human resource. “The presence of a modern UP Global Campus will complement and drive the economic and human development of Clark Green City,” he said.
He pointed out that Central Luzon has 12 million people and will need a new campus for UP to provide them affordable but quality education. “It is about time that we address the growing population in Central Luzon in terms of providing the best education that the country could offer,” he added.
Casanova noted that the establishment of a UP global campus in Clark Green City is consistent with the Phase I development of Clark Green City.
Under the MOU, UP has plans of expanding its academic programs on science, technology and the arts in Central Luzon in the next five (5) years.
BCDA shall provide an area within the Institutional Area of the Clark Green City for the establishment of a UP Campus in the city.
UP, on the other hand, shall spearhead the promotion and development of science and technology education and research, consistent with the university’s mandate and the Clark Green City’s overall plan of being the most modern, smart and green metropolis in the Philippines.
Both the BCDA and UP will work toward the internationalization of UP’s academic and research programs for its campus in Clark Green City by linking with international institutions and organizations.
The newly signed MOU is a continuation of the mutually beneficial partnership between BCDA and UP. In 2011, the UP and BCDA signed a MOA establishing the UP Professional Schools in Bonifacio Global City on a 4,300-square meter lot that was donated by BCDA.
