Those who know Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III would also know how much he loves cycling.

This is probably why De Vera, a cycling enthusiast himself, used his love for cycling in a recent video inviting everyone to support CHED’s “Edutourism: Study in the Philippines Program or StudyPH-Edutourism.”

“We are inviting you to join us in our journey around the Philippines and in spreading to the whole world the Study in the Philippines - Edutourism Program,” said De Vera said in a video posted on the Facebook page of CHED Study in the Philippines Edutourism.

CHED partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the StudyPH-Edutourism. It is an international competitiveness building program which seeks to establish “Philippines as a center of quality higher education in identified programs of excellence in ASEAN.”

“Let’s help the tourism industry through education. Enhance our knowledge, be globally professional and be ready as we open our country once again to foreign visitors and our fellow Filipinos. Together, let’s travel for education!” De Vera said in the video.

The StudyPH-Edutourism also aims to support State College and Universities (SUCs) in promoting development plans and programs for the convergence of academe, local government units, industry, small-medium enterprises, communities and other stakeholders.

“Let's create awareness throughout the whole nation and the world, to encourage learners and enhance human resource and skills development, so we are more ready when we open our doors to foreign tourists, investors, allies, and to serve our fellow Filipinos better,” CHED said.

Among the featured SUCs include Bulacan State University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Tarlac Agricultural University, President Ramon Magsaysay University, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, University of the Philippines Baguio, Kalinga State University, Capiz State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Iloilo State College of Fisheries, Central Philippines State University, Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, University of Antique, Guimaras State College, and Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology.

The goal of CHED's EduTourism initiative, De Vera said, is also to partner with the community around those universities “to use what we have, and that the education and tourism sector to work together as one to support the revitalization of our economy and the tourism industry.”