MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has pledged to strengthen quality assurance for degree programs with licensure examinations in higher education institutions (HEIs) under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.
On Wednesday, CHED and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) signed a joint circular aimed at enforcing stricter mechanisms requiring state universities and colleges (SUCs) to secure the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) or similar CHED-recognized national, regional, or international quality assurance certifications.
“This administration is committed to making quality assurance in licensure programs a legacy,” said CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III. “Under the Marcos administration, all degree programs, especially those with licensure exams, will meet quality standards that no previous administration has ensured.”
The circular mandates that licensure programs in all HEIs must secure COPC or other recognized certifications. It aims to enforce stringent mechanisms for monitoring compliance among SUCs and local universities and colleges (LUCs).
“Securing a COPC is a basic requirement that some SUCs and LUCs have yet to comply with,” De Vera emphasized, adding that it includes the responsibility of ensuring qualified faculty, adequate equipment, and up-to-date curricula.
De Vera also highlighted that quality assurance goes beyond opening degree programs, emphasizing the need for monitoring, corrective actions, and even closing substandard programs.
PRC Chairperson Charito Zamora assured strict enforcement of the new measures, stating that programs without COPC will be considered non-compliant. “Our regional offices will firmly implement this,” she said.
De Vera further urged SUCs and LUCs to pursue higher quality assurance levels once they have met the minimum COPC compliance. All HEIs are required to secure COPC by September 2025.
This initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring quality licensure programs and enhancing the competency of graduates.
ia/mnm
MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has awarded over 1,000 leaders in higher education institutions (HEIs) with upskilling, reskilling, and scholarship opportunities to foster internationalization in Philippine universities.
This initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s ongoing directive to raise the quality of education, ensuring that HEI graduates are globally competitive and employable.
In a Viber message on Thursday, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III emphasized the importance of providing such opportunities to university leaders and translating them into tangible improvements in the quality of education for students.
“We at CHED make sure that our university officials get continuous upskilling programs, especially on leadership, to ensure the provision of quality and inclusive education,” de Vera said in a statement.
The recipients of these scholarships and upskilling opportunities include HEI leaders, faculty members, and university personnel from world-ranking universities in the Philippines. Specifically, 1,494 individuals received postgraduate scholarships, while 439 education leaders, faculty, and staff participated in various upskilling programs as of December 2024.
These programs include notable courses like the Leadership Essentials program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the Advanced Short Course on Sustainable Dairy Production System at Massey University in New Zealand, and the Organizing Major Sports Events and Promoting Sports Tourism program at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Other courses offered include the Short Course on Halal Food Standard Compliance at Universitas Bakrie in Indonesia and the Training of Trainers on Instruction and Delivery and Twinning Program in Aeronautics at the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Looking ahead, CHED aims to expand its scholarship programs, with a goal of increasing the number of scholars to 2,000 by 2025.
In line with its efforts to boost internationalization, CHED also reported that 87 Philippine HEIs secured spots in various global rankings between July 2023 and June 2024, significantly surpassing the 52 HEIs ranked in 2023 and 22 in 2022. The agency has also expanded “university-to-university” linkages with international institutions, facilitating joint degrees, double degrees, and twinning programs.
Furthermore, CHED is targeting a steady increase in the number of internationally ranked Philippine universities, aiming to reach 110 by 2025, 156 by 2026, 202 by 2027, and 220 by the end of President Marcos’ term.
ia/mnm
MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Tuesday (24 Sept 2024) said 92 higher education institutions (HEIs) have been granted a three-year autonomous and deregulated status.
“The autonomous private universities represent the best of the best among our higher educational institutions, producing world-class graduates and are included in international rankings,” CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III said in a statement.
For autonomy, De Vera cited the HEIs’ performance in professional board examinations, employability rates, curriculum alignment with industry demands, and global linkages and engagements, among others.
“The new guidelines include global partnerships and international engagement with top universities all over the world. As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, CHED will ensure that Philippine HEIs remain competitive on both national and global scales,”
The other HEIs, meanwhile, secured deregulated status after meeting “high standards” with good quality performance and program results.
The 92 HEIs and their status are as follows:
Maintaining Autonomous Status
St. Paul University Philippines
Angeles University Foundation
Baliuag University
Centro Escolar University – Malolos
Holy Angel University
Wesleyan University-Philippines
Lyceum of the Philippines University- Batangas
Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna
Adventist University of the Philippines
Colegio De San Juan De Letran- Calamba
Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation
Mapua Malayan Colleges Laguna
Saint Michael’s College of Laguna
University of Batangas
University of Perpetual Help System- Laguna
Ateneo de Naga University
John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Arevalo
John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation Bacolod
University of St. La Salle Bacolod
Central Philippine University
John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University- Molo
Cebu Institute of Technology University
Silliman University
University of San Carlos
University of San Jose Recoletos
Misamis University
Capitol University
UM Digos College
University of the Immaculate Conception
University of Mindanao
Ateneo de Davao University
Saint Louis University
University of Baguio
University of Cordilleras
Adamson University
Asia Pacific College
Ateneo de Manila University
Centro Escolar University – Makati
Centro Escolar University – Manila
De La Salle University
De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Inc.
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Far Eastern University
Jose Rizal University
Lyceum of the Philippines University
Mapua University – Manila
Miriam College
National University
Our Lady of Fatima University – Valenzuela
Our Lady of Fatima University – Quezon City
Southville International School and Colleges
St. Paul University Manila
Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila
Technological Institute of the Philippines – Quezon City
Trinity University of Asia
University of Asia and the Pacific
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA- Las Piñas
University of Santo Tomas
University of the East – Manila
First-time autonomous status
Panpacific University, Inc.
Saint Mary’s University
First City Providential College
Our Lady of Fatima University-Antipolo Campus
Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite
STI West Negros University
Xavier University – Ateneo De Cagayan
Notre Dame of Marbel University
FEU Institute of Technology
Far Eastern University -Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
Manila Central University
Maintaining Deregulated Status
Northwestern University, Inc.
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA- Calamba
University of San Agustin
Filamer Christian University
San Beda University
The Philippine Women’s University – Manila
“I urge other private universities to benchmark and emulate the programs and practices of these top universities,” De Vera said.
Both autonomous and deregulated status give all 92 HEIs freedom in their curriculum, opening of new programs, securing partnerships with HEIs abroad, prioritization in CHED’s subsidies and financial aid, as well as exemption from monitoring, evaluation, and Special Orders for graduates.
Their status will be effective until September 2027, according to CHED.
ia/mnm/Source:PNA
MANILA — Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman Prospero “Popoy” De Vera III is once again under scrutiny as another complaint lands on the desk of the Office of the Ombudsman.
The complaint alleges the mishandling of the allocated P10.3 billion higher educational development fund intended for the free tuition and living expenses of government scholars, as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
Ten Menitobong tribal student scholars from South Cotabato have formally lodged the complaint against De Vera, citing accusations ranging from negligence of duty and violation of Republic Act 11032 (Ease of Doing Business) to abuse of power and moral injury to students and educational institutions.
In their four-page joint affidavit-complaint filed on April 15, the student scholars expressed their frustration, stating, “… we strongly assert that the concerned government agencies, specifically the Commission on Higher Education under the chairmanship of Mr. Prospero De Vera III shall be held liable for his utter failure to provide and release to us (student scholars) our living allowances for the period covering SY 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024.”
They lamented the prolonged wait for their living allowances, which has severely impacted their studies and placed financial strain on their families.
Additionally, they called upon President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the leadership of both Houses of Congress to address De Vera’s alleged inaction, despite adequate funding being provided by Congress for government scholars.
The complaint urges the national government and the Philippine Congress to intervene and ensure the implementation of the provisions outlined in RA 10931, particularly the disbursement of the living allowance earmarked for entitled scholar-grantees.
RA 10931 guarantees free tuition and other school fee subsidies, along with a P20,000 living allowance per semester for every student-scholar, emphasizing the importance of equitable access to quality tertiary education.
(el Amigo/MNM)
Games Sunday
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE/AU
2 p.m. – NU vs AdU
5 p.m. – FEU vs UST
MANILA — Vengeful University of Santo Tomas fended off College of St. Benilde, 25-15, 25-16, 19-25, 32-30, in the thrilling knockout duel to catch the last bus in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 Final Four Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
The Golden Tigresses wasted a huge lead in the fourth set before recovering in time behind the heroics of Regina Jurado, Jonna Perdido, and Bianca Plaza for a sweet payback in the extended quarterfinals against the gritty Lady Blazers after a tough five-setter defeat in Game 1.
UST, with a win-once bonus as the No. 2 seed, thus marched on to arrange a semifinal battle against Far Eastern U for a seat in the championship of the SSL Season 2 backed by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, Genius Sports and United Auctioneers, Inc.
Reigning champion National U, the only unbeaten team in the tourney, and Adamson is in the other pairing of the knockout Final Four today (Sunday) with the survivors advancing to the best-of-three finale starting on Friday.
Regina Jurado unloaded 16 points on 15 hits, an ace, and a block, including a bevy of clutch hits in the fourth set to show the way for UST to replicate a Final Four feat in the inaugural season.
Perdido and Angeline Poyos added 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Plaza made her presence felt down the wire with four points highlighted by the last two points for UST to win the extended duel, 32-30.
“We’re a young team against a veteran St. Benilde squad na two-time NCAA champion. Nakita nyo kung gaano sila ka-solid, ayaw talaga bumitaw. Nanalo kami sa disgrasya. Nadisgrasya namin sila sa huling palo kasi lahat ng set-up at attacks at combination play namin, nakapag-adjust sila,” said UST mentor Kungfu Reyes.
“Credits to St. Benilde. ‘Yun nga, we’re a young team and nahatak kami ng nahatak going into the semis. Malaking bagay sa amin ito lalo twice-to-beat kami, tapos twice beaten. ‘Yun sana ang branding namin.”
On the heels of a 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 11-15 loss in Game 1, UST imposed its will early by taking a commanding 2-0 lead only to cool down in the third set with a 25-19 defeat as two-time reigning NCAA champion St. Benilde proved its pedigree once again.
The Golden Tigresses moved on the verge of a quick 3-1 victory with a 24-21 lead in the fourth only to witness another Lady Blazers’ fightback to force a deuce and even snatch the driver’s seat at 27-26 off a Gayle Pascual hit.
Jurado and Perdido took turns neutralizing Rhea Mae Densing’s late hammers for a 30-all score before Plaza, who just subbed in the match for blocking purposes, uncorked two straight surprise attacks to lift UST to the hard-earned win.
Pascual and Densing fired 16 and 15 points, respectively, for St Benilde under the watch of coach Jerry Yee.
Meanwhile, Ateneo takes on St. Benilde in the other bracket of the classification matches with the University of the East and Arellano playing as of press time for the 5th-8th spots in the SSL Season 2 in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.
All SSL Season 2 games are accessible across all platforms live and on-demand through the social media pages of Plus Network and SSL with Solar Sports, Blast TV, and Aliw Channel 23 as TV partners.
(AI/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
FOR yet unknown reasons, the top-ranking Philippine educational institution Ateneo de Manila University made a steep dive in the 2024 edition of Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
From its previous perch of 351-500 in the 2023 edition, Ateneo slid into the 1001-1200 bracket, according to THE’s recent report.
The steep decline also puzzles even Commission on Higher Education Chairman Prospero De Vera III who said on Friday that their agency would look into the factors as to why the Philippine universities’ rankings suffered a sudden setback instead of climbing up in the rankings.
“We should also look at criteria/areas where they are not going up fast (or worse may have gone down) like research and compare that with higher ranked universities. Then we know what we have to improve on,” De Vera said.
De Vera added that there is a possibility that international higher education institutions have “faster score improvement” now.
“Because these HEIs are increasing investments in research, faculty development, facilities, etc. compared to Philippine HEIs, they end up ranking higher than Philippine HEIs,” he said.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines, which is supported by the government, also dropped from 801–100th place to 1,201–1500th this year.
The overall score decreased from 29.8 to 33.9 last year to 22.8 to 28.2, despite improvements in the teaching and global outlook categories.
De La Salle University, which had previously been included in the 1,200 to 1,500, slid into the 1,501+ category and is ranked third among HEIs with Philippine locations.
However, De Vera said that a lower ranking does not necessarily indicate a lesser score in THE’s world ranking. (ai/mnm)