Photo courtesy of CHED
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) celebrated the culminating event of its 32nd anniversary on June 10, 2026 by unveiling major reforms, expanding scholarship opportunities, and forging strategic partnerships aimed at addressing workforce gaps, strengthening student welfare, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Philippine higher education.
Held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the celebration brought together leaders from government, academic, and industry to launch initiatives that align higher education more closely with national development priorities.
CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis also delivered the State of Higher Education Address (SOHEA), highlighting the Commission’s major accomplishments under its ACHIEVE Agenda and outlining key priorities for the sector. “As CHED marks its 32nd Founding Anniversary and the first year of implementing the ACHIEVE Agenda, we are seeing measurable outcomes across the higher education system. What began as a reform agenda is now delivering tangible gains for learners, institutions, industries, and communities,” Chairperson said.
Joining the Commission in the celebration are Senator Loren Legarda; Congressman Jude Acidre; TESDA Secretary Kiko Benitez; DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa; PRC Chairperson Atty. Charito A. Zamora; EDCOM2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee; TEC Secretariat Executive Director Jennie Jocson; HE Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Philippines; and HE Sin Saream, Ambassador of Cambodia to the Philippines.
New programs and strategic reforms launched
Among the key initiatives launched during the celebration was the nationwide implementation of Project PAG-IBIG, an initiative that establishes childcare centers in state universities and colleges nationwide. The program aims to support student-parents, faculty members, and university personnel by making quality childcare services more accessible within campuses.
The event also highlighted the Awarding of Technology Business Incubation: AUN SDG-Based Priority Program of CHED. This initiative aligns university incubation programs with regional and global sustainability goals to transform student innovations into scalable, real-world solutions.
Also launched during the event was the Higher Education Development Fund Coffee Table Book—a presentation of CHED’s legacy and milestones in higher education, along with the unveiling of the Higher Education ACHIEVE Agenda 2030 Booklet, a long-term roadmap that will guide policy reforms, innovation, internationalization, quality assurance, and institutional development across the higher education sector.
Strengthening partnerships in priority disciplines
Another highlight of the celebration was the signing of several agreements with government agencies and education stakeholders to address pressing national development needs.
CHED and the Department of Health (DOH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that strengthens collaboration in health workforce planning and development, supporting efforts to ensure a steady supply of healthcare professionals across the country.
To help address the shortage of guidance and counseling professionals, CHED and the Department of Education (DepEd) signed a Joint Memorandum Circular establishing the Learning Initiatives for Nurturing Guidance Associates and Counselors Program (LINGAP). The initiative will provide scholarship opportunities for qualified DepEd personnel pursuing advanced studies in Guidance and Counseling and Psychology.
The Commission also signed updated implementing guidelines for the Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and Their Families (CoScho) with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), enhancing scholarship benefits and expanding support for beneficiaries.
In support of the country’s growing semiconductor industry, CHED joined Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), participating Technical-Vocational Institutions, and Higher Education Institutions in launching the Cebu Convergence Initiative. The program introduces pilot diploma pathways designed to bridge technical-vocational and higher education and help develop a skilled workforce for the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Recognizing institutions for expanding access and global opportunities
The Commission also recognized higher education institutions that are helping expand access to education and strengthen the international competitiveness of Philippine higher education.
Newly approved providers under the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) were recognized, broadening opportunities for working professionals, government employees, and overseas Filipino workers to earn academic degrees through recognition of prior learning and professional experience.
CHED likewise recognized newly approved Transnational Higher Education (TNHE) providers, whose partnerships with international institutions are expected to expand access to globally competitive academic programs and strengthen the Philippines’ position as an emerging education hub in the region.
The Commission also recognized the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) scholars who were successful passers and topnotchers of the March 2026 Physician Licensure Examination, and acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the partner Higher Education Institutions in nurturing future physicians.
“As we reflect on the first year of the ACHIEVE Agenda, we are reminded that every scholarship granted, every policy improved, every institution strengthened, and every learner empowered represents an investment in the future of our nation,” Chairperson Agrupis said. “The accomplishments we celebrate today are not the work of CHED alone. They are the result of the collective efforts of our partners in government, academia, industry, and the communities we serve.”
As CHED marks more than three decades of service, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to building an accessible, inclusive, innovative, and globally competitive higher education sector for all Filipinos.
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