Posted on by Information Officer

Manila, Philippines — President Zulueta attended the Quality Assurance Conclave for Higher Education Leaders on May 13, 2024, at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Manila.

The Commission on Higher Education hosted and organized the event in partnership with USAID and RTI International as part of the weeklong celebration of CHED’s 30th Founding Anniversary.

PDPZ with other esteemed delegates of the Quality Assurance Conclave for Higher Education Leaders. (Photo by Alvin Chiong Reyes)

The event opened with the presentation of the “Landscape of the CHED Quality Assurance” delivered by Atty. Cinderella Filipina S. Benitez-Jaro, CHED Executive Director followed by plenary sessions and panel discussions of various topics about the global education landscape.

The Plenary Session I with the theme “Global Perspectives on Quality Tertiary Higher Education” was headed by Dr. Gael McDonald-Senior Director, Higher Education Institutional Development-University Design Institute (UDI), Arizona State University; DR. Kritsachai Somsaman-Director, SEAMEO STEM Education (Thailand); and Prof. Lilian A. De Las Llagas-Adjunct Professor, Public Health, University of the Philippines-Manila and Former Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education.

Additionally, Plenary Session 2 discussed the theme “Reinventing Higher Education and Emerging Global Trends”. The first presentation was about “Competitiveness and Innovation: Future Directions and Priorities” delivered by Dr. Rafaelita M. Aldaba-Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry; followed by the presentation about the “Future of Work” by Mr. Alfredo I. Ayala-Member, Private Sector Advisory Council; and Mr. Sherwin M. Pelayo-Executive Director, Analytics & AI Association of the Philippines.

After the plenary sessions, the panel discussion with the theme “Government-Academe Industry Upskilling: Partnership followed. The esteemed members of the panel include Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo-President, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges; Dr. Manuel M. Muhi-President, Polytechnic University of the Philippines; Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea-CEO, iPeople; Ms. Frankie Antolin-Executive Director for Talent Development, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, with distinguished moderator, Dr. Richard S. Abendan-Chief of Party, U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program.

In the afternoon, Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III-CHED Chairman and Mr. Ryan Washburn-Mission Director, USAID Philippines delivered key messages towards forging strong partnerships for Philippine Higher Education.

The highlight of the afternoon session includes the Ceremonial MOU signing, UPSKILL Higher Education Innovation Leaders Fellowship Program Kick-Off Ceremony and presentation of CHED HEMIS One Touch Integrated Systems and Services.

For the breakout sessions, the theme is “Future Proofing Higher Education towards Seamless Lifelong Pathways focusing on Curricular Innovation; Industry Engagement; Learning Outcomes and Assessment in the context of Qualification Framework; Lifelong Learning and Digital Credentials; and Current Trends in QA, Mobility and Recognition.

To finally close the event for the day after the plenary talks and panel discussions, Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego-Director IV, CHED Office of Programs and Standards Development delivered the synthesis of the activity followed by call to action by CHED Commissioner, Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela.

(D. Sto. Domingo/MSCIU/MSC OP)