The University of the Cordilleras (UC) strengthened its global presence in 2024 through active partnerships with international institutions. By engaging in collaborative research, professional training, academic exchanges, and multi-sector initiatives, UC advanced efforts in public health, national security, environmental protection, and justice reform. These international engagements reflect UC’s continued commitment to quality education, community service, and meaningful contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
New Wildlife Forensic Laboratory
On December 5, 2024, UC formalized a partnership with USAID Philippines, the Gerry Roxas Foundation, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) to establish a Wildlife Forensic DNA Barcoding Laboratory. Supported by a PHP 3.6 million grant from USAID, the facility enhances the capabilities of UC’s existing Forensic DNA Laboratory. It enables advanced DNA testing of wildlife samples to support biodiversity conservation and stronger enforcement of environmental laws. This initiative aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Cybersecurity Training for National Defense and Advancing Criminal Justice Reform
UC strengthened national security and justice reform in 2024 through two major international partnerships. From September 20 to 29, 2024, the University, together with the University of Cincinnati and supported by CHED and FSTP, implemented the Securing the Cyber Domain Initiative (SCDI). This program equipped both civilian and military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with specialized cybersecurity training. Combining technical instruction with legal and social science perspectives, the initiative prepared participants to counter emerging cyber threats that endanger the country’s critical infrastructure. This collaboration directly supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Complementing this effort, UC is also leading the five-year Rights2Life: Towards a Responsive Criminal Justice System in the Philippines project in partnership with Ghent University (Belgium). Supported by a ₱16.2 million VLIR-OUS grant, the project promotes human rights–centered reforms through research, education, and engagement with justice sector stakeholders. A major highlight of 2024 was the Institutional Exchange, during which both universities reaffirmed their collaboration through the signing of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Global Initiatives in Nursing and Public Health
The UC College of Nursing (UC-CON) demonstrated strong international engagement throughout 2024, participating in a series of global health initiatives, academic exchanges, and leadership-building activities that strengthened its presence in the global nursing community.
The year began with UC-CON’s participation in the Advanced Healthcare Professional Training Program at Taipei Medical University (TMU) from July 8 to 19, 2024. A UC faculty member joined 26 other Filipino health professionals for an intensive learning experience that highlighted TMU’s cutting-edge education systems, high-fidelity simulation laboratories, and technology-integrated healthcare services. This global training expanded UC-CON’s insights on modern nursing education and advanced clinical practice.
Shortly after, on July 17, 2024, UC-CON welcomed faculty and students from the University of Texas School of Nursing through the CABSAT Partnership. The visit strengthened academic, cultural, and professional linkages between the two institutions, enabling rich cross-cultural exchanges and collaborative community health learning experiences.
On July 19–20, 2024, UC-CON co-hosted the NEPraGuild Midyear International Conference & Workshop in Baguio City. The event brought together nurses and nursing leaders from the USA, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia to engage in leadership development, scholarly presentations, and global knowledge exchange. UC-CON faculty actively contributed as plenary speakers and facilitators, reinforcing the College’s role in international professional development.
Building on this momentum, UC-CON formalized a regional partnership on August 26, 2024, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng. The agreement established opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, collaborative nursing research, and community health initiatives focused on maternal and indigenous health.
By November, UC-CON expanded its public health collaborations through discussions with the University of North Carolina–Charlotte on the implementation of Project SHIP (School-Based HIV Initiatives in the Philippines). Initiated on November 15, 2024, Project SHIP aims to strengthen HIV education, prevention, and youth-focused research in Philippine schools. Guided by the Spectrum of Prevention Framework and aligned with the WHO’s 2030 target to end AIDS, this partnership marks a significant step toward addressing youth HIV awareness and community health empowerment.
Rounding out the year, UC-CON represented the Philippines at the 22nd Asia Workforce Forum in Malaysia on November 27, 2024. Nursing leaders from across Asia convened at the Maya Hotel to discuss workforce challenges, healthcare innovation, AI integration, and regional strategies to strengthen the nursing profession. UC-CON’s participation highlighted the College’s leadership in regional health initiatives and its commitment to global collaboration.
These efforts support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Broadening Academic Reach
On May 2024, UC formalized academic cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding with Da-Yeh University and Kainan University in Taiwan. These partnerships aim to promote joint research endeavors, faculty and student exchange programs, and the development of collaborative academic initiatives that enhance UC’s international academic offerings.
Additionally, UC advanced its educational internationalization efforts through a new partnership with Kun Shan University in 2024, further expanding opportunities for global collaboration, research innovation, and academic mobility between institutions.
Later in the year, from November 22 to 25, 2024, UC served as the Regional Hub for Luzon during the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF). Through this role, the University connected Filipino students and educators to European scholarship and research programs, including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This strengthened UC’s commitment to widening academic access and promoting international pathways for advanced study and research.
Through these partnerships and initiatives, the University of the Cordilleras continues to elevate its standing as a leading institution in education, research, and community service both nationally and internationally.
| SDG | Indicator | How the University’s Initiatives Align |
| 3 – Good Health and Well-Being | 3.3 – End the epidemics of AIDS and other communicable diseases3.C – Increase health workforce capacity through training and education | UC College of Nursing strengthened public health initiatives through Project SHIP (HIV prevention) with UNC Charlotte and by participating in TMU’s Advanced Healthcare Training Program, improving HIV education, prevention efforts, and enhancing the competencies of Filipino health professionals. |
| 4 – Quality Education | 4.4.1 – Increase youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and entrepreneurship4.B – Expand access to scholarships and international higher education | UC enhanced skills development through the international Cyber Defense Training (SCDI) and expanded academic opportunities by serving as the EHEF Regional Hub for Luzon and establishing MoUs with Da-Yeh University and Kainan University for research, seminars, and mobility programs. |
| 15 – Life on Land | 15.7 – End poaching and trafficking of protected species15.A – Mobilize resources to conserve biodiversity | UC established the Wildlife Forensic DNA Barcoding Laboratory through a USAID-funded initiative, improving wildlife DNA processing capabilities to support biodiversity conservation, scientific research, and strengthened environmental law enforcement. |
| 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.3 – Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice16.6 – Develop accountable, effective, and transparent institutions | UC advanced national security and criminal justice reform through the Rights2Life project with Ghent University and the SCDI cybersecurity program, enhancing human rights education, justice system effectiveness, and national defense capacities. |
| 17 – Partnerships for the Goals | 17.16 – Enhance multi-stakeholder partnerships17.17.1 – Promote effective public–private and civil society partnerships | UC strengthened its global footprint through collaborations with USAID, DENR-CAR, UNC Charlotte, Ghent University, Taipei Medical University, and multiple partner institutions, supporting joint research, capacity-building, and international academic exchanges |
References:
Building global nursing excellence through international collaboration – CON @ UC. (2024, July 30). University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/30/building-global-nursing-excellence-through-international-collaboration/
Kun Shan University and University of the Cordilleras advance educational internationalization through academic MOU. (n.d.). Kun Shan University. https://eng-web.ksu.edu.tw/DAIO000/focusNews/detail/15540
Rights2LIFE. (n.d.). University of the Cordilleras – Rights2Life Project. http://rights2life.uc-bcf.edu.ph/
UC College of Nursing represents the Philippines at the 22nd Asia Workforce Forum in Malaysia. (2024, November 27). University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/27/uc-con-dean-joins-nursing-leaders-at-the-22nd-asia-workforce-forum-in-malaysia/
UC College of Nursing strengthens international ties with Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng – CON @ UC. (2024, August 26). University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/08/26/uc-con-dean-strengthens-ties-with-indonesian-partner-and-inspires-future-nurses-at-international-seminar/
UC College of Nursing welcomes delegates from the University of Texas School of Nursing. (2024, July 20). University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/20/uc-college-of-nursing-welcomes-university-of-texas-school-of-nursing-delegation/
UC-CON and University of North Carolina–Charlotte explore collaboration for Project SHIP. (2024, November 15). University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/15/uc-con-and-university-of-north-carolina-charlotte-explore-collaboration-for-project-ship/
UC-CON strengthens global nursing leadership at the 2024 NEPraGuild midyear international conference & workshop. (2024, July 30). University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing. https://con.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/07/30/uc-con-strengthens-global-nursing-leadership-at-the-2024-nepraguild-midyear-international-conference-workshop/
UC leads international cybersecurity training with University of Cincinnati for AFP personnel. (2024, October 3). University of the Cordilleras Internationalization Office. https://geo.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/10/03/uc-leads-international-cybersecurity-training-with-university-of-cincinnati-for-afp-personnel/
UC participates in European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2024. (2024, November 30). University of the Cordilleras Internationalization Office. https://geo.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/11/30/uc-participates-in-european-higher-education-fair-ehef-2024/
UC partners with USAID, Gerry Roxas Foundation, & DENR to establish wildlife DNA barcoding lab. (2024, December 5). University of the Cordilleras Web News. https://web.uc-bcf.edu.ph/2024/12/05/uc-partners-with-usaid-gerry-roxas-foundation-denr-to-establish-wildlife-dna-barcoding-lab/
