About UPSKILL
On February 21, 2024, USAID officially launched the U.S.–Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) program in Manila.
The five-year program will work with U.S. universities, the Philippine government, private sector partners, and young Filipinos nationwide to help Philippine colleges and universities to become more globally competitive, improve the qualifications and career prospects of Filipino graduates from higher education, and prepare them for the future of work.
MIT D-Lab's role in UPSKILL
D-Lab’s engagement is led involves members of both our research and practice teams and includes the following:
Year 1: D-Lab participated in the project co-development process, hosted exchange visits to MIT for university and government leaders, has provided ongoing technical support and consultations to UPSKILL staff and partners, and is in the process of conducting four regional assessments to identify training and technical assistance opportunities related to the Regional Inclusive Innovation Centers (RIICs). Team members have implemented 51 interviews, completed the analysis, and generated findings. A larger survey will take place fall 2024.
Year 2: D-Lab will plan and execute three to four multi-day technical trainings on priority topics that were identified through the RIICs Capacity Development Roadmap completed by D-Lab.
Year 3: D-Lab will design, organize, and deliver two to three significant trainings of trainers and capacity development activities in the Philippines and conduct end-line evaluations of the 10 RIICs. I
Years 4 & 5: The D-Lab team will take at least one trip to the Philippines per year and will also serve as virtual advisers for people trained during the program, providing technical assistance as they begin to train other key actors affiliated with the project’s existing and recently developed RIICs.
Throughout the course of the program, D-Lab will provide administrative, financial, and technical support to RTI’s team in terms of meeting any reporting requirements to the funders, engaging in occasional planning and coordination meetings, as well as supporting communication efforts where needed.
More information
USAID press release: U.S. Launches Php1.6-Billion Program to Boost Philippine Higher Education
Contact
Principal Investigator: Libby McDonald, MIT D-Lab Associate Director for Practice
Co-Principal Investigator: Kendra Leith, MIT D-Lab Associate Director for Research
