NEWLY appointed head of the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), Dr. Patricia Licuanan, formally takes over the agency today, Monday, replacing Emmanuel Angeles.
Licuanan, who was named by President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, buckles down immediately with the orders to go after erring nursing schools and reform tertiary education in the country.
Prior to the post, she served as president of Miriam College and as a trustee of the Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics.
Earlier, two major educators association also expressed support to Licuanan even as they urged her to rid the Ched of "corrupt" officials and activities and reform the Commission.
"Licuanan will certainly clear the way for quality education which has been the dream of the late President Corazon Aquino," said Jose Dino, president of Philippine National Association of School Securities Organization (Philnasso).
The Confederation of Higher Education Institution Administrators (Chia) also welcomed Licuanan's appointment to the post saying that she represents a "fresh air" at the Commission.
"We are very optimistic that the inept present Ched administration will be restored to its normal standard so that fresh graduates could compete with other international higher education graduates," the Chia added. (AH/Sunnex)