AMSC Joins Leaders at First Philippine Higher Education Summit 2026

Clark, Pampanga — Adiong Memorial State College led by President Dr. Sherifa Rohannie K. Adiong, joined heads of state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private higher education institutions (HEIs) across the country for the historic First Higher Education Summit (HES) 2026.

The three-day summit, held from March 10 to 12 at the SMX Clark Convention Center, was spearheaded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The event aimed to foster a holistic discourse on curriculum relevance and science-driven strategies to better prepare Filipino graduates for complex global and societal challenges.

During the summit, CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis introduced the ACHIEVE Agenda, a seven-point roadmap designed to mobilize higher education in a rapidly changing world,. The agenda focuses on: A - Advanced and Accessible Lifelong Learning; C - Centralized One-Nation Human Capital Development; H - Harmonized SDG-Based Research Innovation; I - Inclusive and Impact-Driven Internationalization; E - Expanded and Integrated Real-Time Data Collection and Analytics; V - Vitalized Policies, Internal Systems, and Governance; and E - Effective and Efficient Public Service.

Dr. Agrupis emphasized the critical role of institutional heads, stating, “As Presidents, you have the power to transform the lives of every Filipino through education".

AMSC’s participation highlights its commitment to these national goals. Notably, the college has already taken steps toward regional collaboration and academic excellence through established Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with three Mindanao State University (MSU) campuses: MSU General Santos, MSU-IIT, and MSU Naawan.

The summit’s discussions also underscored a shift toward skills-based competencies and the importance of real-time data in educational planning. CHED Commissioner Dr. Michelle Ong noted that the system truly works when employment focuses on portfolios and proven skills rather than just traditional resumes.

The event concluded with a call for unified action, with leaders recognizing that the future of Philippine higher education depends on the effective collaboration of the entire academic and industrial ecosystem.

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