Davao City — Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) joined other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) from across the country in CertiPhy: A Masterclass on Micro-credentials from Concept to Implementation, held on August 7–8, 2025 at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Davao City.
The two-day masterclass is a direct outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by ten SUCs during the academic mission to Beijing, China, led by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley A. Agrupis, last April 8–13, 2025. The initiative aims to integrate micro-credentialing into Philippine higher education, equipping graduates with industry-relevant, specialized skills.
The SUCs under the MOU are Davao Oriental State University, Biliran Province State University, Davao del Sur State College, University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao del Norte State College, Southern Philippines Agri-Business, Marine, and Aquatic School of Technology, Rizal Technological University, Mabalacat City College, University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, and Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology. Joining them in this recent engagement were Davao de Oro State College and Sulu State College.
The masterclass was led by Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong, a recognized authority in micro-credentialing, who provided expert guidance on designing, implementing, and evaluating micro-credential programs tailored to current labor market demands.
DNSC President and PASUC-XI Chair Joy M. Sorrosa emphasized the role of micro-credentials in preparing graduates for the evolving workforce, stating, “Beyond academic knowledge, today’s industries demand agile, skill-ready graduates. Micro-credentials bridge this gap, empowering students with specialized, industry-aligned competencies. This shift is not just an innovation, it is now a CHED mandate under CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 1, Series of 2025, reinforcing our commitment to future-proof education.”
