CHED RO1 attends collaboration meeting with DepED R1, TESDA R1

In a move to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in the education sector, the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office 1, led by Regional Director Tolentino G. Aquino, convened its first-ever collaboration meeting with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office 1, headed by Regional Director Christine Nabor-Ferrer, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Regional Office 1, represented by Acting Regional Director Socorro F. Galanto at the Executive Conference Hall, DepEd Regional Office 1, San Fernando City, La Union on October 8, 2025.
Dr. Nabor-Ferrer together with Dr. Angelica Q. Dolores, Supervising Education Program Specialist, and Education Supervisors II Dr. Myrelle Faith Mina and Dr. Mitchellene V. Rivo contributed insights on higher education programs and initiatives that align with the shared goals of DepEd and TESDA.
The meeting focused on presenting each agency’s mandates and ongoing initiatives, identifying potential areas for inter-agency collaboration, and outlining strategic directions to strengthen coordination and program implementation across the three education sectors.

R1 MHEIs gather for CHED ROI’s ATraCA Year 2

The eight Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) in the region convened for the second time for the CHED ROI-initiated Maritime Advancements through Training and Collaboration Assembly (ATraCA), which featured a learning exchange visit on September 12, 2025, and a two-part faculty and student symposium conducted on October 9 and 20, 2025.
The activity highlighted the importance of sustainable maritime education and aimed to support MHEIs in their academic endeavors that align with the goals of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in terms of education and training.
For the learning exchange visit, CHED ROI officials, along with MHEI representatives, went to the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso, Zambales, and were received by PMMA Superintendent Joel Abutal.
They engaged in benchmarking discussions with the PMMA’s key officials.
During the two-part symposium, CHED ROI Director Christine Nabor-Ferrer and OPSD OIC-Chief Education Program Specialist Jorel Ramirez rendered their message of support.
“CHED will always be your partner in producing an educationally qualified workforce. We continue working together, align our efforts, share our expertise, and uphold the values of integrity, excellence, and service,” said Director Ferrer.
Referring to the theme “Gearing up Maritime Education in Research, Industry Partnerships, Professional Learning Engagements, and Sustainability”, Mr. Ramirez mentioned that it was aligned with the demands of quality maritime education and that quality assurance is not a checkpoint but a sustainable journey.
On the first part of the symposium, C/Eng Jonathan Seguritan, MARINA Maritime Education and Training Standards Supervisor, Engr. Felix Oca, PAMI Chairman, and C/Engr. Ronnie Basco, PMMA Assistant Superintendent for Administration and Finance, capacitated MHEI faculty members and administrators on the trends and issues of the maritime industry, quality governance, and green initiatives in the higher education landscape.
Maritime student leaders also attended the said symposium featuring speakers involved in maritime education and training.
Mr. Dan Aldrich Tolentino, Training Manager of Sharjah Maritime Academy, presented engagements for cadets to adapt to the emerging technologies of the industry, while Ms. Mary Ann Pastrana, Chairperson of APSTII, discussed social media ethics and awareness.
Further, Mr. Glenn Mark Blasquez, Chief Operations Officer of SIMS Training Center, addressed coping strategies and mental health awareness.
Finally, Dr. Amapola Villar-Zapanta, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Head of Education and Training Unit, outlined the agency’s support programs available to seafarers.
Dr. Danilo B. Bose, Chief Education Program Specialist, Dr. Angelica Q. Dolores, Supervising Education Program Specialist, Dr. Myrelle Faith D. Mina, Education Supervisor, and Mr. Kotaro Jncyrl Q. Velasco, Project Technical Staff II, spearheaded ATraCA.

CHED highlights International Opportunities through FSTP

Committed to opening global doors for Filipino scholars, the Commission on Higher Education – International Affairs Service (CHED-IAS), in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED ROI), conducted the Foreign Scholarships and Training Program (FSTP) at The Monarch Hotel in Calasiao, Pangasinan Held on October 23, 2025.
The FSTP brought together representatives from various higher education institutions in Regions I, II, III, and CAR, along with aspiring scholars, to explore a wide array of international learning opportunities.
The event placed a spotlight on the FSTP as one of CHED’s flagship initiatives, implemented in partnership with various foreign governments and institutions.
Funded through official development assistance, the program aims to strengthen the nation’s human resource capacity by equipping scholars with world-class education and technical expertise.
Over the years, FSTP scholars have returned to the Philippines with enhanced knowledge and leadership skills that contribute to national development and institutional growth.
To provide a clearer picture of the scholarship landscape, Ms. Mabel A. Gutierrez, OIC Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED’s International Affairs Service, gave an introduction to the FSTP and CHED’s role in the selection process, outlining how collaboration between local and international partners ensures fair and transparent scholarship opportunities for Filipinos.
The program also featured presentations from key international partners, beginning with Ms. Jewel Mae Regnim from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who discussed available scholarship programs in Japan.
Her session was complemented by CDR Lana Rita Yap of the Philippine Coast Guard, who shared insights from her academic experience as a JICA scholar.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Ms. Subin Choi and Ms. Andrea Conopio, introduced their scholarship initiatives for Filipino professionals.
Ms. Janyne Luna of DTI – Nueva Ecija, followed by sharing her personal journey as a KOICA scholar in South Korea, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural learning and global cooperation.
Ms. Gutierrez also detailed the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme, emphasizing Hungary’s commitment to educational exchange with the Philippines.
Dr. Dianne Joy Aguilon from the University of the Philippines Los Baños then shared her enriching experience as an SH scholar, emphasizing how international training broadens perspectives and fosters academic excellence.
Representing the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, Ms. Rica Gabrielle Ortiz introduced various scholarship opportunities available for Filipinos in Taiwan, while Ms. Joanne Fajardo from the Philippine – American Educational Foundation wrapped up the day with an overview of the Fulbright Programs, highlighting the United States’ long-standing partnership with the Philippines in advancing educational exchange.
“The day concluded with a shared sense of inspiration among participants, serving as a reminder that education, when given the opportunity to cross borders, becomes a bridge that connects nations, cultures, and aspirations,” remarked Dr. Al Gerald Barde, CHED ROI’s Focal for Internationalization.
𝘣𝘺 𝘑. 𝘉𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘻

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.
“The 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

𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗢𝗪 | 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.