MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES …

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry for Innovation and Technology of Hungary (hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”);

Desiring to set up and develop cooperation in the field of vocational education and training;

Recognising that the challenges posed by the 4.0 Industrial Revolution, digitalization, robotization, automation, climate-change have regional and global character which require a modern and constantly developing Vocational Education and Training as well as Adult Learning (hereinafter referred to as “VET” and “AL”) systems to respond quickly to the rapidly changing demands of the labor market;

Being aware of the mutual benefits in development of VET in both countries and the consequences that the cooperation would further strengthen partnership between their countries;

Taking into consideration the Philippine partners interest in VET expressed on the first session of the Hungarian-Philippine Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation which was held on the 2-3 April 2019 in Budapest;

Pursuant to the prevailing laws and regulations of the respective countries of the Participants;

Have come to the following understanding:

Paragraph 1
OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present Memorandum of Understanding is to establish and strengthen cooperation in the area of VET between the Participants, and to implement a long-term partnership on the basis of full equality of rights and mutual benefits.

Paragraph 2
AREAS OF COOPERATION

This Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented primarily in the following areas:

1. VET systems, challenges and best practices;
2. Competency Standards Development, Assessment and Certification in VET;
3. Research and Development in VET;
4. Dual VET programmes, strengthening businesses participation in VET;
5. Mobility programmes in VET;
6. Human Resources Development Programmes in VET;
7. Increasing the attractiveness of VET; and
8. Joint implementation of collaborative projects

Paragraph 3
JOINT ACTIVITIES

This Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented through:

1. Exchange of relevant educational/training data and information, including VET policies;
2. Benchmarking occupational standards and qualifications in priority industry sectors;
3. Technical assistance for VET system development;
4. Building industry linkages through partnership arrangements;
5. Capacity building of VET Teachers, Trainers and Assessors;
6. Organization of study visits for experts;
7. Holding of workshops, symposium and other events;
8. Exchange programmes for principals, teachers, vocational trainers, administrative staff, and students of vocational schools; and
9. Other mutually agreed forms of cooperation.

Paragraph 4
POINTS OF CONTACT

In order to implement the present Memorandum of Understanding the Participants will designate coordinators as the representatives of the Participants. The coordinators will meet at time periods agreed upon by the Participants to review the phases of cooperation and duly foster them, alternately in Hungary and in the Republic of the Philippines.

Paragraph 5
FUNDING

Expenses related to any activity within this Memorandum of Understanding will be borne according to the conditions decided upon in writing by the Participants, and will be subject to the availability of funds. Should any of the Participants require technical assistance from the other Party, the adjoining cost will be covered by the Party requiring the technical assistance.

Paragraph 6
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENT

This Memorandum of Understanding contains the general terms and conditions of the partnership. For the implementation of the objective of this MOU, a separate agreement will be executed by the Participants setting forth their responsibilities, the terms and conditions of the program in accordance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations of the Participants.

Paragraph 7
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Each Participant shall ensure all legal means available for the protection of intellectual property rights of all materials obtained within the framework of this Memorandum of Understanding, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in their respective countries.

Intellectual property rights acquired or created as a result of joint activity in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding shall be allocated by mutually agreed conditions set out in separate arrangements prior to commencing the joint activity.

No party shall transmit any commercially valuable confidential information obtained in pursuance of this Memorandum of Understanding to any third Party without prior consent of the Participant from which such information originated.

Paragraph 8
DATA CONFIDENTIALITY

The Participants are obliged to keep confidentiality of the documents, information and other data received or transferred to the other Party within the framework of implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding, as well as other arrangements signed in compliance with this Memorandum of Understanding.

Confidential documents or information may only be transferred to a third Party upon the written agreement of the Participants

Paragraph 9
EXISTING OBLIGATIONS

The present Memorandum of Understanding does not have any effect on other bilateral or multilateral obligations of any of the Participants. Thus, it shall in no way affect other obligations of the Philippines, and of Hungary as the member state of the European Union

Paragraph 10
LIMITATION OF PERSONNEL ACTIVITIES

The Participants shall ensure that their personnel engaged in the activities under this Memorandum of Understanding shall engage only in such activities and in accordance with the national laws and regulations of their respective countries.

Paragraph 11
SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES

Any difference between the Participants related to the interpretation or application of this Memorandum of Understanding shall be resolved by means of consultations and negotiations.

Paragraph 12
AMENDMENT

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended by mutual written consent of the Participants. Such amendment shall enter into effect on the date as determined by the Participants and shall constitute as an integral part of this Memorandum of Understanding.

Paragraph 13
EFFECTIVITY, DURATION AND TERMINATION

This Memorandum of Understanding shall take effect on the date of its signing and shall remain in effect for a period of five (5) years subject to renewal to be agreed upon by the Participants in writing, unless one of the Participants notifies the other in writing through appropriate diplomatic channels of its intention to terminate its participation by giving a written notice at least six (6) months prior to the intended termination. It may be renewed under similar terms subject to the agreement of both Participants.

The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding shall not affect ongoing projects and activities which have already commenced prior to the said termination.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Memorandum of Understanding

Done at New York on 19 May 2022 in two original copies, in the English, and Hungarian Languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

Entry into Force: May 19, 2022