Manila– On May 14, the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), also known as Fulbright Philippines, represented by Chairperson Jessica L. Simon, and the Legal Education Board (LEB), represented by Chairperson Jason R. Barlis, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the U.S. Chief of Mission Residence in Makati City that seeks to contribute to the further development of the Philippine legal education sector through international academic exchanges.
This MOU allows both organizations to collaborate to provide scholarship grants and develop training programs for the benefit of the legal education sector. It will direct funds toward projects that develop comprehensive human resource development initiatives to empower future Filipino leaders. Additionally, this collaboration seeks to update teaching methods in legal education by incorporating digital technology, ensuring that students and future legal professionals remain globally competitive. Additionally, PAEF and LEB aim to develop training programs for law professors, lecturers, and administrators.
“The MOU between PAEF and LEB represents the convergence of interest of both parties in improving legal education and legal scholarship through educational exchange. The United States has always been a favorite destination of Filipino lawyers for higher studies. Future grants that will be established will support Filipinos to take their LLMs at prestigious law schools in the United States or support research that will contribute to further developments in Filipino legal scholarship,” said PAEF Executive Director Julio Amador III.
“This memorandum is more than a formal agreement—it is a bridge between local potential and global opportunity. In partnership with PAEF, we are opening doors for legal educators and their institutions to pursue innovation, build global linkages, and share knowledge across borders,” said LEB Chairperson Jason Barlis.
The MOU between PAEF and LEB creates a framework for both organizations to plan and develop specific details to implement a Fulbright program dedicated to legal education. These details will be formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement and will outline proposed programs, outcomes, timelines, and budgets. In the long term, this partnership aims to develop highly skilled and competent Filipino law lecturers who will leverage their international experience to improve the country’s justice system.(PR)
