BBM fully backs 10-point agenda for higher education

PARTIDO ng Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer and presidential frontrunner Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos on Thursday, April 7, 2022, lauded the efficiency, diligence, sacrifices and dedication of all teachers and members of the academe in the country, even as they strive to create globally competitive professionals in the country.

This, as he expressed support for the 10-point agenda submitted by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) in his office aimed at further strengthening and improving the quality of education for the Philippines.

In a 14-page letter submitted by Ched Commissioner Ronald L. Adamat, he presented the "10 -Point Agenda for Higher Education-Build.Bind.Minds for Sustainable Development."

“It should be noted that the said 10-point agenda is focused on addressing the country’s human resources needs, developing globally competent professionals and lifelong learning with a niche in both local and global markets,” said Adamat.

The 10-point agenda contains Learning Infrastructure in the New Normal, Seamless Career Pathways and Academic Progression, Fire-Driven Skills & Competencies, HEI & LGU "Glocal" HRD Networks, Inclusivity & Accessibility, Sustainable & Mission-driven Governance, Quality Assured & Relevantized HiEd programs, International & future-proof HE system, Data driven Tri-fold HiEd.

Adamat explained that part of the learning infrastructure in the new normal is the establishment of state-of-the-art infrastructure & facilities for higher education, sustain flexible learning in the new normal, strengthen distance and transnational education, and recognize emerging new learning platforms.

In seamless career pathways and academic progression, the Ched official said the government should establish Philippine Qualification Authority (PQA) and lifelong learning center, implement credit transfer system in priority disciplines, enhance ladderized education programs and expand recognition of prior learning.

In fire-driven skills and competencies, the government will develop graduates as job creators, knowledge generators, professionals, & entrepreneurs, develop and support 4th IR-responsive programs aligned to digital transformation (AI, IOT, DSA, etc.), integrate skills and competencies of the 4th IR across disciplines, scholarship grants for fire-related program, fortify communication in the English language proficiency for work-readiness.

The HEI & LGU Gocal HRD networks will support the establishment of partnerships between HEIs and LGUs for education and training, research and extension for global and local (glocal) competitiveness.

The inclusivity & accessibility will promote indigenous people (IP) and peace education, intensify gender mainstreaming in the academic community, expand resources for scholarships and grant under the free tuition act, advance OFW qualifications for global recognition, greater employability, labor productivity and mobility and the admission policies incorporate affirmative action program for students from marginalized sectors.

For the sustainable and mission-driven governance, the government will promote sustainable good governance through fiscal autonomy and innovation-driven initiatives; forge government, industry, and academe collaboration/partnerships; undertake digital transformation of HEIs and services and develop an incentive system to strengthen R&D in the private HEIs.

In quality-assured & relevantized HiEd programs, the government will establish the National Agriculture and Food Security Academy (Nafsa) for the nurturing of food and agricultural scientists to achieve food sustainability and security, ensuring outcomes-based education responsive to the needs of the industry in context of continuous quality improvement.

Deepen academic, government and industry engagement for the design of more relevant and responsive programs, develop cutting edge and innovation-facing courses, integrate SDGs and climate resiliency across disciplines.

The Internationalized and future-proof HiEd system will promote branding for excellence and niche building for institutions and programs, bridge national and international academic requirements to enhance academic mobility of Filipino graduates, promote student and faculty exchange and support initiatives for international ranking of institutions and programs.

Number nine in the 10-point agenda is the data-driven trifold HiEd functions with the support in decision making in HEIs through dynamic data science and analytics, data-driven approach to promote instruction, research and extension and production (for SUCs) and develop a knowledge-sharing community for public and private HEIs.

The healthy and innovative learning spaces is to enrich technology mediated and technology enhanced teaching and learning resources, promote mental health in the academia, intensify the weaving of social accountability, ethics, and values in the curricula, spur youth leadership and innovation capacity and prioritization of values education and integration in all programs of higher learning. (PR)