Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) has formally signed the Grant Agreement for Project 101236657 – “Green Gecko: Training the Engineers of the 21st Century in Thailand and the Philippines,” an international capacity-building initiative under the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

The Green Gecko Project is coordinated by the Université de Montpellier (France) through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), with participation from twelve universities across Europe and Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, partner institutions include Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Manila University, the Technological Institute of the Philippines, and the University of the Philippines System.

This three-year project aims to tackle climate change by enhancing engineering education and equipping future engineers with the skills needed to support carbon neutrality and sustainable development. It builds upon the previous Erasmus+ CBHE “GECKO Project” (2017-2021), which focused on integrating managerial and soft skills into engineering curricula.

Through the Green Gecko initiative, the consortium will develop new modules and methodologies for climate-responsive engineering education, foster university-industry collaboration, and conduct pilot training programs for engineering students and faculty in Thailand and the Philippines.

As part of the consortium, Xavier Ateneo will contribute by capacitating teachers in teaching sustainable development knowledge, skills and aptitude to engineering students.

The Green Gecko consortium brings together partners from France, Lithuania, Italy, Spain, Thailand, and the Philippines, supported by industry stakeholders. The project exemplifies global collaboration in higher education to build a sustainable and inclusive future for all.