The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced on Friday, March 28, that it has approved a pioneering academic partnership between the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), marking a significant step toward global education advancement.
In a statement, CHED said more Filipinos can now "break into" the global creative industry following the approval of this groundbreaking transnational higher education (TNHE) partnership between the two universities.
According to CHED, UST and PolyU will offer a dual-degree program designed to elevate local talent to the global stage.
This collaboration, CHED noted, is expected to enhance academic exchanges, research initiatives, and cross-border learning opportunities—reinforcing the Philippines’ position in the international education landscape.
CHED explained that the partnership paves the way for students to earn two prestigious degrees—the BA (Hons) in Design (Product Design) from PolyU and the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Industrial Design from UST—all within four years.
World-class education
CHED said that the approval of this program falls under Republic Act No. 11448 (Transnational Higher Education Act), which aims to provide Filipino students with world-class education at their doorstep.
CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera highlighted that one of President Marcos' directives is to expand access to international education opportunities through the TNHE law.
“Hence, we are actively assisting Philippine HEIs in securing partnerships with universities abroad to ensure they produce globally competitive graduates,” he added.
De Vera also emphasized that the creative industry is one of the major sectors President Marcos has instructed CHED to develop.
“Hence, we encourage our HEIs to collaborate with local and international institutions to build a world-class workforce in the creative industry,” De Vera said. “I commend UST for responding to the calls of the government,” he added.
Meanwhile, UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP, Ph.D. noted that by embracing transnational education, the joint program with PolyU empowers students to become globally competitive designers.
“It connects them with international experts, cutting-edge resources, and real-world industry collaborations, giving them a powerful edge in the creative sector,” he added.
Ranked 57th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and 84th in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, PolyU is a global leader in design education.
CHED highlighted that PolyU’s School of Design, which has been shaping creative minds since 1964, consistently ranks among the world’s best for Art and Design.
With this partnership, CHED said students will gain exposure to PolyU’s cutting-edge curriculum, industry-driven projects, and international design networks—without leaving the Philippines.
“This program is more than just a dual degree—it’s a launchpad for Filipino designers to break into the global creative industry,” CHED added.
Graduates will be equipped with international perspectives, cross-cultural competencies, and hands-on experience, setting them apart in the competitive design landscape.
Growing list
CHED explained that the UST-PolyU program joins a growing list of approved transnational education initiatives, including Far Eastern University & Jerudong Park Medical Centre (Brunei) for the BS Nursing and Science Foundation Program; the Asian Institute of Management & University of Houston for the Double Degree in Data Science & Business Administration; and the Mapúa University & Arizona State Universit for TNHE programs across various disciplines.
With this milestone collaboration, CHED emphasized that UST and PolyU are championing a future where Filipino creativity thrives on the world stage.