The Government of Saskatchewan is advancing efforts to strengthen international post-secondary education links by pursuing new partnerships in both the Philippines and Thailand, with a delegation led by the province’s Advanced Education Minister engaging officials and institutions in Manila and Bangkok.

The mission comes as part of Saskatchewan’s broader International Education Strategy, which aims to position the province as a global hub for education, research and student mobility.

Government officials intend to build on existing frameworks and identify opportunities for institutional cooperation, student and faculty exchanges, and joint research initiatives in key Asian markets.

In the Philippines, Saskatchewan has previously formalised relationships.

In a milestone development, it signed Canada’s first provincial memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Republic of the Philippines to enhance academic cooperation, mobility programs and collaborative research between post-secondary institutions.

The MOU provided a foundation for exchange and capacity building between universities and colleges in both jurisdictions.

Officials accompanying Minister Ken Cheveldayoff will discuss expanding institutional links, aligning academic programs and promoting pathways that benefit students from both Saskatchewan and Southeast Asia.

The delegation’s engagements are expected to emphasise mutual benefits such as innovation, applied research collaboration and enhanced intercultural learning.

While details of specific Thai partnerships are emerging, Saskatchewan’s push reflects a deliberate strategy to diversify its international education footprint and attract more global engagement beyond traditional markets.

The province’s International Education Strategy emphasises global engagement and capacity building, encouraging institutions to collaborate worldwide to enrich research, broaden student experiences and enhance the province’s global profile.

Higher education stakeholders in Saskatchewan believe the strengthened ties can also contribute to long-term economic and labour market goals by preparing graduates for global opportunities and fostering knowledge exchange across borders.

Representatives of universities and polytechnic institutions in Saskatchewan note that increased engagement in Asia can expand opportunities for scholarship programs, joint degree pathways and collaborative innovation projects that build skills and support global networks.