The National Institutes of Health (NIH), University of the Philippines Manila, welcomed representatives from the Embassy of Canada on 15 July 2026 for an exploratory meeting on potential areas of collaboration.
Representing NIH were Executive Director Marissa M. Alejandria, and Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives and Emerging Programs Dr. John Mark Velasco.

The visiting delegation included Mr. Jei Edora III, Trade Commissioner for Clean Technologies and Life Sciences and Asian Development Bank Liaison; Mr. Jizen Reyes, Senior Commercial Officer of the BC Trade and Invest Manila Office; and Ms. Celeste Clemeña, Trade Commissioner Assistant.

During the meeting, NIH presented its mandate, key research capabilities, programs, and partnerships, highlighting opportunities for cooperation in health research and innovation, technology transfer and commercialization, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives.

Discussions also covered potential training exchanges, joint academic programs, and linkages with Canadian institutions and innovation hubs, in support of advancing the translation of research into meaningful public health outcomes.