By Stephanie Camille Ilar

Higher education institutions and stakeholders across the Philippines, including Mariano Marcos State University, joined the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Converge to Achieve: The Higher Education Summit at the Manila Hotel, September 15, in support of CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis and her seven-point ACHIEVE Agenda, presented in celebration of her first 100 days in office.

Chairperson Agrupis, who previously served as MMSU’s 7th president and CHED Commissioner, presented her recalibrated seven-point ACHIEVE Agenda to advance quality and innovation in Philippine higher education: Advanced and Accessible Lifelong Learning; Centralized One-Nation Human Capital Development; Harmonized SDG-Based Research and Innovation Agenda; Integrated Real-time Data Collection and Analytics; Expanded and Impact-Driven Internationalization Strategies; Vitalized Policies, Internal Systems, and Governance; and Effective and Efficient Public Service.

The ceremony, which centered on the shared pledge of National Government Agencies to work hand in hand with CHED in advancing the 7-point ACHIEVE Agenda, was also graced by some agencies and partners, including Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Unilab Education, Department of Labor and Employment - DOLE, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHR). 

Representing MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation Nathaniel Alibuyog led the delegation composed of university officials, including Dr. Doreen Domigo, Graduate School Dean; Dr. Dionisio Bucao, Director for Research; Prof. Luvee Hazel Aquino, Director for Curriculum Development and Innovative Learning (CDIL); Prof. Jeanette Dials, Director for Internationalization, Linkages, and Partnerships (ILP); Prof. Armie Sabugo, Director for Innovation and Technology; Dr. Regie Boy Fabro, Chief of the Open and Distance Learning Program (ODLP); Dr. Jareason Fabre, Executive Assistant to the University President; and researchers Ms. Milen Fileza Inocencio and Mr. Eleazer Grande.

According to Chairperson Agrupis, her conviction to advance higher education in the country stemmed from her experience as university president, where she saw firsthand the resilience of learners, the tireless efforts of faculty, and the determination of administrators who managed to sustain institutions despite limited resources.

This perspective, she added, motivated her to reposition CHED “from a passive regulator into an active enabler of transformation,” committed to delivering decisive actions and long-term solutions in the sector.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr., through DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, said, “Beyond a matter of prestige, this is a demonstration that the Filipino can excel, compete, and lead on the world stage. It is a reminder that when given the chance, our people will always rise to the challenge,” noting the hundreds of HEIs that arose in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

With this, MMSU continues to express its full support for Chairperson Agrupis’ recalibrated ACHIEVE Agenda, a similar acronym for her agenda at MMSU which helped the institution succeed as one of the country’s premier universities.