The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur’s Provincial Colleges officially signed a partnership with the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), most commonly known as the Fulbright Philippines on October 25, 2023, at the Tourism Building, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur.

Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte, Governor of the province of Camarines Sur and Chairman of the CamSur Provincial Colleges led the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding together with Doctor John Groch, Chairman of the Fulbright Philippines and U.S. Embassy to the Philippines.

This official partnership signals the establishment of a framework for collaboration which will help in improving and cultivating the quality education provided by the provincially-managed community colleges of the province, provide scholarship and open opportunities for CamSur students to study in the USA, empower teachers through exchange programs and specialized and transformative training seminars, and promote bilateral relations between the province of Camarines Sur and the United States of America.

The people of Camarines Sur warmly welcomed the delegates of the Fulbright Philippines including Dr. John Groch, Mr. Julio Amador III, Ms. Anna Kathrina Tansengco, Mr. Daniel Jasper Solis, and Dr. Ana Miraña. 

Dr. Miraña, an alumna of PAEF and local of Camarines Sur, has been highly instrumental and helpful in the bridging of Camarines Sur to secure its partnership with Fulbright Philippines.

With its tagline for education, “Inclusive Education for All”, the Provincial Government has established its reputation in making quality education accessible to its people, especially the out-of-school youths, adults, and the underprivileged, by establishing community colleges in the most remote and geographically inaccessible areas of the province.

During the MOU signing, Julio Amador III, Executive Director of the Fulbright Philippines, noted the innovative and inclusive programs of the Provincial Government under Governor Luigi Villafuerte.

“CamSur is clearly building for the future. Fulbright’s mission is trying to find solutions for tomorrow’s problems today and I think we are converging in that idea,” said Executive Director Amador, also a local of Camarines Sur, after learning of the programs and projects of the Provincial Government. According to him, this knowledge only added to their excitement and eagerness for this partnership.

In time for the celebration of their 75th Anniversary, this partnership with Camarines Sur is a history in the making as it is the very first time that the Fulbright Philippines and the US Embassy signed a partnership with a provincial and local government unit in the country.

The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the astute and visionary leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, has always believed in the great importance of education in combating poverty and giving every Camarinenses a chance at a better life. With this, the Provincial Government will ensure the prioritization of the education sector by continuously implementing innovative and inclusive programs and projects and establishing linkages that will lead the province of Camarines Sur to greater heights.