The Transnational Higher Education Act expands access to education by encouraging partnerships between foreign and local universities. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure meant to improve the global competitiveness of local education by allowing the presence of foreign schools in the country.

Republic Act No. 11448, or the Transnational Higher Education Act, which was signed on Aug. 28 and made public Wednesday, expands access to education by encouraging partnerships between foreign and local universities.

It is meant to modernize the higher-education sector, “with a view of . . . attracting a flow of talented students, faculty and staff and improving the country’s human resource base,” the law stated.

Under the new measure, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is tasked to formulate a national strategy for the formation of transnational higher education programs and institutions for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees in the Philippines.

Foreign universities, through a local partner, could put up branch campuses, as long as Filipino students comprise at least two-thirds of enrollment. Foreigners could fill up more than 80 percent of faculty and up to 40 percent of the administrative personnel and staff in the local branches.

Foreign universities are also allowed to promote “twinning” arrangements or joint degrees with local universities under the law.

Local universities with programs recognized by CHEd, meanwhile, are allowed to offer their services abroad, as long as these schools abide by the rules and regulations of the host country.