CHED Summit Gathers Academic Leaders; Pres. Abella Supports ACHIEVE Agenda

University President Dr. Evaristo A. Abella joined the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Higher Education Summit held from March 10-12, 2026 at SMX Clark, Pampanga, expressing strong support for the Commission’s ACHIEVE Agenda and its goal of advancing transformative higher education in the country. The Summit convened academic leaders from state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private higher education institutions (PHEIs), along with local and international collaborators and partners with one goal in mind – to achieve a sustainable future for Philippine Higher Education. It was graced by Rep. Jude A. Acidre, Chair of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, along with CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Commissioners Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, Dr. Michelle A. Ong, Dr. Desiderio R. Apag III, and Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino. “We will only live once in this world, with our positions as academic leaders, let us make this worth it,” Chairperson Agrupis stressed as she elaborates the importance of the gathering and encouraged everyone to take part in realizing the vision of the ACHIEVE Agenda. Meanwhile, Rep. Acidre extended his gratitude to CHED and all the academic leaders for doing their role in shaping the country’s next leaders as he notes, “everything I am today, I owe in large part to my education, which opened doors and widened the horizon for myself and our community.” Region 3 Presidents were also present as co-hosts of the event together with CHED Regional Office III Director Dr. Maura Consolacion D. Cristobal. Also in attendance were officials from the different agencies who offered their expertise and services to help CHED achieve its goal including the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and other private industry partners. A separate session was held to address concerns and discuss strategies in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with local and foreign speakers as discussants including the UNESCO National Commission, National Development Planning Agency of Indonesia, and Sunway University, Malaysia. In between the workshops, CHED formalized its partnership through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreements with DOST, DOST-PCAARRD as well as with Landbank Philippines for partnerships and UNIFAST Grantees.