The University of Hawaiʻi community college model is gaining international attention as higher education leaders in the Philippines explore ways to transform their local colleges, expand access and meet workforce needs.
Kapiʻolani Community College Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi spoke at the Philippines’ Local Colleges Visioning Summit, October 19–20, following an August visit by Philippine leaders to Kapiʻolani CC, Leeward CC and Honolulu CC.
“As island communities across the Pacific, we share a commitment to building diverse and accessible higher education systems that respond to the unique needs of our communities while preparing our people to thrive in globally competitive island economies,” said Takabayashi.
The summit drew hundreds of college presidents, administrators and representatives across two days at the University of the Philippines Cebu and the University of the Philippines Open University Headquarters in Los Ba?os, Laguna.
Focus on workforce, student success
The gathering supports the Philippine Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) ACHIEVE Agenda 2030 to strengthen local institutions into community-focused, workforce-aligned colleges. During the August delegation visit, which included CHED Commissioner Michelle Aguilar Ong, discussions centered on workforce development, student success and flexible pathways.
“We would like to thank Chancellor Takabayashi and the entire Kapiʻolani Community College community for supporting the Summit,” said Ong. “With the insights they have generously shared, we are happy and excited to embark on this major reform in Philippine higher education. We hope to continue this collaboration and finally see our local colleges transition to a community college model.”
At the summit, Takabayashi joined Vilma Fuentes of Florida State University to share international perspectives, emphasizing how education must lead to meaningful employment and living wages. Takabayashi plans to partner with CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis to deepen educational collaboration between Hawaiʻi and the Philippines.