CLARK FREEPORT ZONE — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is pushing for a unified reform in the country’s higher education system through its ACHIEVE Agenda during the Higher Education Summit held at the SMX Convention Center Clark.
The three-day summit brought together leaders from state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private higher education institutions to discuss strategies for strengthening Philippine tertiary education amid technological, economic, and social changes.
Anchored on the theme “Achieving Sustainable Futures: Transformative Higher Education for Human Capital, Innovation, and Global Responsibility,” the summit highlighted the role of higher education in advancing sustainable development, strengthening industry relevance, and enhancing global engagement.
CHED Commissioner Myrna Mallari said the summit provides a venue for academic leaders to examine the evolving role of universities and colleges in preparing Filipino students for an increasingly complex and unpredictable future.
“Across the country today, millions of Filipino students are preparing for a future that is far less predictable than it was even a decade ago,” Mallari furthered.
She noted that technological advancements, shifting industry demands, and evolving learning environments are reshaping how institutions deliver education.
“These are redefining what it means to be educated, and what it means to lead a higher education institution,” she added.
Mallari emphasized that the summit provided an opportunity for academic leaders to collaborate on solutions and share best practices aimed at strengthening the higher education ecosystem.
During the summit, participants engaged in discussions on key priorities shaping the future of higher education including lifelong learning, human capital development, digital transformation, internationalization, quality assurance, research and innovation, and public service.
“In all of these, we are anchored on the ACHIEVE Agenda of the Commission on Higher Education,” Mallari said.
The ACHIEVE Agenda outlines CHED’s reform priorities aimed at building future-ready institutions capable of responding to national and global challenges.
CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the summit aimed to align higher education institutions toward a shared direction for reform and development.
“The ultimate objectives [are] aligning all higher education institutions into one framework, addressing the pain points in higher education,” she said.
Agrupis stressed that stronger coordination among institutions is essential to transform the sector and ensure that higher education remains relevant and competitive.
“Because regardless whether they are SUCs, they are LUCs, they are private, whether they are small or big, we are moving towards transforming education to a level that is relevant and competitive,” she said.
The summit featured plenary discussions, breakout sessions, and exhibits highlighting programs and best practices of government agencies and higher education institutions.
Through these exchanges, CHED aims to strengthen collaboration among policymakers, academic leaders, and stakeholders in shaping a higher education system that supports national development and prepares Filipino learners for global opportunities.
