The Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines and the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, convened a Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on 24 February 2026 to advance the implementation of their June 2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on clean energy transition and nuclear workforce development.
The meeting, held at the DOE office in Bonifacio Global City, was attended by Saskatchewan’s Minister of Advanced Education, Ken Cheveldayoff, and co-chaired by Energy Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan on behalf of Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin. Representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), leading Philippine universities, and Canadian academic institutions also participated.
Discussions focused on technology development and deployment, research collaboration, and workforce and skills development to support a secure and inclusive energy transition. The June 2025 MOU outlines cooperation in areas such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), carbon capture, smart grids, renewable energy integration, and the repurposing of aging coal assets, with emphasis on stakeholder engagement and social acceptability.
Undersecretary Marasigan said the meeting marked a shift from shared commitments to coordinated implementation, highlighting the need to equip institutions and communities, including Indigenous groups, for the country’s energy transition.
As a key outcome, both sides agreed to advance workforce and education initiatives, including the formation of a joint task force to develop localized Nuclear Engineering and Safety Management curricula in coordination with CHED and Saskatchewan institutions. Plans also include specialized train-the-trainer programs for Philippine educators, potential technical-vocational collaboration with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and continued coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on micro-credentialing and skills development aligned with nuclear and clean energy requirements.
On the technical front, the JWG discussed joint research opportunities on SMR and microreactor feasibility for potential deployment in Philippine island grids. The group also explored technical exchanges on strategies for early retirement and repurposing of aging coal-fired power plants, including assessments for future energy infrastructure use.
Secretary Garin emphasized that a strong nuclear program depends on capable institutions and a skilled workforce, noting that the partnership with Saskatchewan strengthens academic collaboration, safety standards, and public engagement for responsible energy development.
Minister Cheveldayoff underscored the importance of human capital in achieving long-term sustainability, citing Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions, including the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, and the role of the Global Institute for Energy, Minerals and Society (GIEMS) in fostering collaboration across academia, government, industry, and Indigenous communities.
The DOE said the Saskatchewan partnership complements other international engagements aimed at preparing the Philippines’ workforce and institutions for emerging clean energy sectors. The department recently highlighted a separate MOU signed with United States partners to support specialized vocational and higher education pathways for the country’s civil nuclear program.
Both parties agreed to continue coordination through the JWG and define priority deliverables and timelines for the next phase of cooperation.
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