PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), represented by College President Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa, along with selected deans and directors, took part in the 2025 PASUC Midterm Convention and General Assembly held on July 9-11, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.
The gathering, themed “Forging the Future: Empowering SUCs through Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence’, brought together State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and key partners in higher education to engage in strategic dialogue, collaborative planning, and exchange of ideas.
Organized by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), the event was designed to chart the course of Philippine public higher education. The forum emphasized themes, such as strategic investment in education, digital transformation, human capital development, sustainability, internationalization, research synergy, and transformational governance.
A series of keynote lectures opened the event. CHED Commissioner Marita R. Canapi delivered a message on Redefining SUC Governance for Transformative and Innovative Higher Education, while CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis shared insights on Trends and the Future of Philippine Higher Education.
Hon. Amenah F. Pangandaman, Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, underscored the main theme, focusing on how innovation and sustainability serve as the cornerstones for SUCs navigating future challenges.
Plenary sessions featured thought leaders from government, academia, and international organizations. Hon. Pavit Ramachandran, Country Director of the Philippine Country Office of the Asian Development Bank, tackled the intersection of education and economic growth in his talk Empowering SUCs through Strategic Investment in Education, Innovation, and the Knowledge Economy. Dr. Karol Mark R. Yee, Executive Director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education, provided an in-depth analysis on The Philippines’ Free Higher Education: Challenges and Future Direction.
The event also spotlighted global positioning strategies for SUCs, with CHED Commissioner Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela elaborating on Positioning SUCs for Global Competitiveness through Internationalization and Sustainability. Enhancing efficiency through digital solutions was also emphasized by CHED Commissioner Desiderio R. Apag III in his session on Effective Digital Governance.
Other notable messages included Engr. Nicanor S. Villaseñor, who inspired innovation with Science on the Go: Building Knowledge, Sparking Discovery and Dr. Enrique “Eric” Tayag, who emphasized faculty well-being in Health and Wellness: Work-Life Balance in SUCs. Mr. Gerald R. Janda of the Department of Budget and Management also shared updates on organizational and staffing standards for SUCs.
The insights gained are set to enrich DNSC’s internal strategies and strengthen its contributions to nation-building through quality public higher education.
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