𝙉𝘿𝘿𝙐 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙃𝙀𝘿’𝙨 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝-𝙇𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙂𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 : 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐀𝐏, 𝐎𝐃𝐞𝐋, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐈 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢, 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 – 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 15, 2025

Leaders, educators, and policymakers gathered at The Manila Hotel today for the 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘼𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙞𝙩, an event organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under the banner of the government’s “Bagong Pilipinas” initiative. The summit centered on the theme “Transforming Higher Education, Achieving Together” highlighted bold reforms to align Philippine higher education with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global standards.

The event featured high-level discussions and partnership signings that underscored the need for collaboration in shaping a future-ready higher education system. Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis outlined the ACHIEVE Agenda and highlighted CHED’s first 100 days of initiatives. Messages of support from key government agencies—including TESDA, DOLE, CHR, and Unilab—reinforced the summit’s focus on workforce development, migrant workers’ education pathways, and innovation.

Among the most notable discussions were the strengthened implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), which validates prior learning and professional experience as academic credits, and the Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) guidelines, designed to expand access to flexible education. Both initiatives position the Philippines as a hub for inclusive and lifelong learning.

In line with 𝗦𝗗𝗚 𝟰 (𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻), the summit emphasized international collaboration and best practices. Global experts shared insights, including New Zealand’s model for recognition of prior learning, Malaysia’s Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL), and Indonesia’s best practices in cyber education. These sessions reinforced CHED’s drive for internationalization—ensuring Filipino graduates remain globally competitive while fostering cross-border academic cooperation.

The summit also explored the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education—particularly in teaching, research, and innovation—signaling a forward-looking approach to align Philippine education with global trends.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., through a video message, expressed support for CHED’s initiatives and emphasized the importance of scholarship opportunities and innovation in driving national progress.

As Commissioner Ethel P. Valenzuela closed the event, she underscored the summit’s vision: a higher education system that is not only globally competitive but also accessible, flexible, and resilient in the face of rapid change.

The Converge to Achieve Summit marks a significant milestone in advancing Philippine higher education—bringing together government, industry, and academia to create opportunities that empower both learners and educators in the years ahead.