First Day of the Foreign Scholarships and Training Program and Erasmus+ Caravan – Luzon Leg

π—›π—”π—£π—£π—˜π—‘π—œπ—‘π—š 𝗑𝗒π—ͺ | First Day of the Foreign Scholarships and Training Program and Erasmus+ Caravan – Luzon Leg at The Monarch Hotel, Calasiao, Pangasinan on October 22, 2025
The event is spearheaded by CHED International Affairs Service and hosted by CHED Regional Office I.
#CHEDRO1

Two DMMMSU alumni earn top ranks in October 2025 FLE

Two (2) alumni from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) North La Union Campus, Bacnotan, La Union have secured spots in the 2025 Foresters Licensure Examination.
Mr. Jade Einstein Dacumos secured 4th place with a rating of 93.55%. Meanwhile, Mr. Andre Gem Marcella ranked 10th with a rating of 92.95%.
The CHED Regional Office 1 family extends its warmest congratulations to the successful passers. May their achievements inspire future board takers!

TP-RQAT visits UNP to evaluate its BSMAT Program

The Technical Panel (TP) and Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) jointly conducted a hybrid evaluation visit at the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on October 15, 2025.
The TP-RQAT evaluated the BS Mechatronics and Automation Technology (BSMAT) program of the institution as a crucial part of the process in granting the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).
The team assessed various facets of institutional operations, encompassing administrative organization, academic instruction, research activities, outreach programs, governance mechanisms, and infrastructure resources through documentary analysis, site inspections, and interviews.
Engr. Enrico Claro Delmoro, member of the Technical Committee for Electronics and Communications Engineering, Engr. Jennifer del Amen and Engr. Rolly Ramos, the Region’s RQAT members for engineering and technology programs, composed the team.
Engr. Sherwin Revereza, Education Program Specialist I, Office of Programs and Standards Development (SDD-OPSD) of CHED Central Office and Engr. Leonora Quarte, Education Supervisor II for Engineering programs of CHED Regional Office I assisted the TP-RQAT.
The team disclosed the evaluation findings and provided the recommendations during the exit conference, which was attended by the members of the institution’s administration led by Dr. Rolando Navarro, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and Dr. Julius Moises Albalos, Dean of the College of Technology.
𝘣𝘺 π˜“. 𝘘𝘢𝘒𝘳𝘡𝘦

Dr. Ferrer represents CHED at 2025 ASEAN ACU Summit

The Philippines further strengthened its engagement in regional higher education cooperation as Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED RO1), represented CHED in the 2025 ASEAN Advisory Committee and Conference for the ASEAN Cyber University (ACU) Project held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on September 16 to 19, 2025.
The event, organized by the Korea Education and Research Information Service (KERIS) in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN University Network, served as a platform for advancing ASEAN–Republic of Korea collaboration in digital transformation, higher education innovation, and lifelong learning.
Dr. Ferrer joined delegates from ASEAN Member-states, the ASEAN Cyber University Steering Committee, and leading universities across the region in discussing policy directions and best practices that respond to the fast-evolving digital landscape of higher education.
The conference opened with remarks from Director Kwang-Hoon Jeong of KERIS, who emphasized the shared responsibility of ASEAN and Korea in shaping the future of education through digital transformation. Followed by a keynote speech from Mr. Kamal Mamat, Head of the Education, Youth, and Sports Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, who emphasized ASEAN’s vision of building a future-ready learning ecosystem rooted in inclusion, quality, and lifelong learning.
Throughout the plenary sessions, participants exchanged insights on innovative models of digital learning and regional cooperation.
Prof. Dr. Jintavee Khlisang of the Thailand Cyber University and Chulalongkorn University presented the Thai MOOC initiative as a model of inclusive lifelong learning. Her presentation also emphasized ASEAN–Korea collaboration in developing bilingual MOOCs, cross-border course sharing, and stackable learning pathways that enhance employability and regional mobility.
Dr. Andrew Adrian Pua of De La Salle University–Manila, discussed online course design as a creative avenue to improve traditional teaching, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network, presented the AUN-QA frameworks as key mechanisms for strengthening quality assurance and qualifications comparability across ASEAN higher education institutions.
Beyond the plenary sessions, Dr. Ferrer actively participated in networking engagements with ASEAN delegates and Korean partners, particularly in discussions focused on enhancing the ASEAN–Korea Education Cooperation Framework through the Higher Education for ASEAN Talents Program and the ACU Open Educational Resources (OER) system.
Furthermore, she also joined conversations on policy harmonization, sustainability, and artificial intelligence literacy, contributing to emerging regional initiatives on digital credential verification and AI-driven learning ecosystems.
She noted that the insights gained from the conference are highly relevant to CHED’s policy agenda, especially in the areas of digital transformation, micro-credentials, and lifelong learning.
β€œThe Philippine higher education sector must continue integrating digital indicators into institutional quality assurance systems and developing a national framework for stackable learning and micro-credential recognition,” Dr. Ferrer said.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase Philippine initiatives and pledged to translate conference outcomes into actionable reforms at home.

ATRACA Year 2 Symposium for Students

π—›π—”π—£π—£π—˜π—‘π—œπ—‘π—š 𝗑𝗒π—ͺ | CHED RO1 conducts the Maritime Advancements through Training and Collaboration Assembly (ATRACA) Year 2 Symposium for Students at J & V Resort and Hotel, Sevilla, City of San Fernando, La Union, October 10, 2025.

Dr. Ferrer joins Regional Mid-Term Review of the Philippine LEP 2023-2028 of DOLE RO1

In support of the national agenda to advance inclusive growth and strengthen workforce development, Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED RO1), participated in the Regional Mid-Term Review and Consultation on the Philippine Labor and Employment Plan (LEP) 2023–2028, at Hudor Resort, Bauang, La Union on October 10, 2025.
Led by the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 1 (DOLE R1), the event provided a platform to assess progress, recalibrate implementation strategies, and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
The LEP 2023–2028 serves as the labor sector’s framework in alignment with the Administration’s socioeconomic agenda and the Philippine Development Plan (PDP). It focuses on three core pillars: the promotion of employment and human resource development, the protection and welfare of workers, and labor relations.
Dr. Ferrer’s participation emphasized CHED RO1’s efforts to ensuring that higher education remains responsive to labor market needs through the alignment of academic programs with employment trends and human capital development priorities.
Engr. Leonora Quarte, Education Supervisor II of CHED RO1 joined Dr. Ferrer during the said consultation.