The University of Bolton’s reputation as a local university with global reach has been enhanced by a proposed partnership with two giants of education in Asia.

With its European affiliates – New York College in Athens and The University of New York in Prague – the University of Bolton has signed a memorandum of understanding with AMA Education System and the Hong Kong Lifelong Education Organisation (HKLEO).

The aim is to boost the European universities’ provisions in the Philippines and, in turn, provide students from the Philippines the opportunity to study in Europe.

The University’s On-Campus Provost, Professor Elias Siores and Off-Campus Provost, Dr Zubair Hanslot, travelled to the Philippines to finalise the partnership.

The visit was hosted by the Honourable Dr Nona Ricafort, Deputy Minister for Education in the Philippines. AMA Education System Chairman, Ambassador Amable R Aguiluz V was also present.
AMA Education System has the biggest network of campuses in Asia with 200 branches and 300,000 students in the Philippines alone. AMA was the country’s first degree-level ICT education provider but has since branched out into other subjects, such as science and engineering.

The HKLEO also has an impressive reach across Asia. Established in 1998, it has gone from two teaching colleges in Hong Kong to providing courses as diverse as engineering, business, criminal justice and philosophy in China, Macaco, Malasyia and Vietnam.

Prof Elias Siores said: ‘This is an excellent opportunity for all institutions involved. The joint experience of the Asian education market our partners have is extraordinary. Through their networks we will be able to bring Bolton’s excellent degree programmes to students in the Philippines.’

Programmes that are being proposed include Global Marketing Management, International Law and International Relations.

Four Philippine state-run universities will be involved in the collaboration. These are Bulacan State University, Tarlac State University, Nueva Ecija State University and Don Honorio Ventura State University.

Prof Siores added: ‘Working with the universities in the Philippines will add even more diversity to the University’s already international portfolio. We are looking forward to working with all the partners involved in the project.’