The Philippines’ Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the UAE National Qualifications Authority (NQA) have signed the TESDA-NQA Memorandum of Understanding which highlights the cooperation between the two entities on Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET) that acknowledges the certifications done by TESDA in the Philippines to be recognized here in the UAE.
Learning opportunities for both countries
Ambassador Constancio R. Vingno, Jr. said the agreement is a great opportunity for both the Philippines and the UAE as each country gets to gauge and see the quantity and quality of trainings done and how well equipped the facilities are. “We can learn from them, and they can learn from us. The Philippines and the UAE can learn from each other with this agreement,” said Vingno.
Atty. Ophelia Almenario, Labor Attache at the POLO-OWWA in Abu Dhabi said that the MOU was initiated in 2015 spearheaded by Labor Attache Delmer Cruz of Dubai. “Nagpunta ang NQA doon (last 2015) para makita ang TESDA. Tapos papaano inaassess, tinignan nila kung comparable ba dito sa ginagawa ng NQA. Pumunta din dito ang team ng TESDA at nagusap na dito,” said Almenario
After a few changes over the years in the agreement, the MOU was reviewed by both parties and finally signed on last May 9.
Mutual Recognition
One of the key benefits of the signed agreement is that all certifications issued directly by TESDA or certifications provided by TESDA-accredited centers will now be recognized by its UAE counterpart, the NQA. “Meron tayong tinatawag na National Certification Certificate. Kung halimbawa beautician ka, tapos holder ka ng TESDA certificate, ire-recognize yan dito,” said Almenario
Vingno furthers that this agreement will establish a joint working group, comprised of senior officials from both countries, to oversee the program: “They will be responsible for the work program of cooperation activities and come up with recommendations for TESDA and NQA for the recognition arrangements that will be implemented to achieve the purposes of the MOU,” said Vingno.
