Inclusivity. Innovation. Collaboration. Excellence. Impact.

The Commission on Higher Education Region I (CHED RO1) clinched the 2025 Best Regional Office for Internationalization Award at the Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards held on December 10, 2025, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City.

Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, CHED OIC Deputy Executive Director; Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta- Diego, CESO III, Director IV of CHED RO1; Dr. Al Gerald S. Barde, Education Supervisor II; and Ms. Ailene B. Flores, Project Technical Staff III received the award.

Anchored on the guiding principles of Inclusivity, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence, and Impact, CHED RO1 was recognized for its comprehensive and forward-looking internationalization agenda, encapsulated in its regional thrust: “ACHIEVEing Sustainable Impact: From Ilocos to the World, From the World to Ilocos.”

CHED RO1 highlighted its internationalization initiatives under the ACHIEVE Agenda, championed by CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, particularly the directive to expand and strengthen internationalization strategies in higher education.

CHED RO1 emphasized that all higher education institutions in Region 1, regardless of size, type, resources, or student population, gain equitable access to global learning opportunities and partnerships.

A central component of CHED RO1’s achievement is its focused work on internationalizing curricula, helping institutions integrate global competencies, multicultural perspectives, and cross-border learning models into academic programs.

The office also provided strategic support for HEIs seeking recognition from international ranking and quality assurance bodies, helping schools improve visibility, benchmarking, and competitiveness on the global stage.

Furthermore, CHED RO1 highlighted that its work complements and reinforces the Commission’s broader national push for higher education internationalization.

With this recognition, CHED RO1 cements its role as a key driver of internationalization initiatives in ACHIEVEing Sustainable Impact: From Ilocos to the World, From the World to Ilocos.

The finalists will deliver their final presentations before the esteemed panel of judges on December 12, 2025, at the Conference Hall, Commission on Higher Education Regional Office No. I, City of San Fernando, La Union.

The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED RO1) Regional Director Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, CESO III, attended her first Board of Regents meeting with Pangasinan State University since reassuming her role as Regional Director on November 25, 2025, held at the CHED Central Office, Diliman, Quezon City.
The board meeting was attended by CHED Commissioner Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, representatives from PSU, headed by Dr. Elbert M. Galas, University President, and Congresswoman Rachel “Baby” Arenas of the 3rd District of Pangasinan.
Dr. Ancheta-Diego’s participation marks the beginning of her renewed leadership in the region, demonstrating her commitment to strengthening institutional coordination and support for higher education institutions across the Ilocos Region.
𝘣𝘺 𝘑.𝘈. 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘻

CHED Region I is currently participating in the Regional Career Development Support Forum hosted by the Department of Labor and Employment, bringing together government agencies, HEIs, industry partners, and CDS providers to strengthen career development initiatives and employment prospects in the region in Santiago, Ilocos Sur on December 5, 2025.

CHED RO1 conducts the Technology, Engineering, and Architecture (TEA) Student Conference-Innovation Forum wherein the students present their innovative projects at Patio by Balai Norte, San Juan, La Union, on December 5, 2025.

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | CHED RO1 attends the Calibration Workshop of CHED and MARINA Evaluators for Maritime Higher Education Institutions at the Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Binondo, Manila on December 3-5, 2025