The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Thursday, April 18, confirmed that a “significant number” of Chinese nationals are enrolled in a private Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Cagayan province.

In a statement, CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III issued a clarification on reports citing the influx of Chinese students enrolling in universities in Cagayan and the concern regarding the prevailing situation in the West Philippine Sea, which poses serious concern to the national security of the Philippines.

“Based on the records of CHEDRO 2, there are no Chinese students enrolled in local public colleges and universities in Cagayan province but there is a significant number of Chinese students enrolled in Saint Paul University Philippines (SPUP) - Tuguegarao City,” De Vera said in a statement.

Asked to clarify the number of Chinese students enrolled in the university, De Vera said "SPUP should have the actual number."  

CHED explained that SPUP is a higher educational institution granted autonomous status by CHED in 2002 and has an Authority to Accept Foreign Students by the Bureau of Immigration.

As an autonomous HEI, CHED said SPUP has the authority, among others, to establish linkages with recognized foreign higher education institutions (CHED CMO 19, s. 2016, “Benefits and Responsibilities of Autonomous and Deregulated Private Higher Education Institutions”).

CHED added that the entry and stay of foreign students in the Philippines is governed by Executive Order No. 285, Series and its Implementing Rules and Regulations and Joint Memorandum Order No. 01, s. 2017 of the Inter-Agency Committee on Foreign Students (IACFS).

“This authority given to selected universities to enroll foreign students is the reason why there is a significant number of students from India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Thailand, Nepal, Korea, and other countries in Philippine schools,” CHED said.

CHED explained that foreign students are “attracted by the affordable cost of quality education, the use of English as a medium of instruction, and the globally recognized quality of instruction in such fields as medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, public health, and engineering.”

To date, CHED said it has “not received complaints as to violation” of St. Paul University of this Joint Memorandum.

“In case of complaint or reports of violation, CHED will forward the same to this inter-agency committee for its appropriate action,” the Commission said. 

Meanwhile, CHED said that on the security aspect, “we leave the matter to the expertise of our security agencies to investigate and recommend appropriate actions.”

CHED added that it “will support and attend congressional investigations and other inter-agency meetings concerning these allegations.”

“We welcome and shall cooperate should any investigation be required,” CHED said.

Moreover, De Vera assured that CHED will continue to support the internationalization of Philippine higher education to produce world-class professionals.

“We will assist HEIs who want to internationalize consistent with CHED guidelines and other applicable national laws,” he added.