Catanduanes State University Pres. Gemma G. Acedo joined fellow presidents of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at the kick-off ceremony of the Higher Education Summit (HES) 2026, held at the SMX Convention Center Clark in Pampanga on March 10, 2026.

Also present at the opening of the summit were Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, CatSU Board of Regents Chairperson Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, and board member Hon. Jude A. Acidre, Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education and Tingog Party-list Representative, along with key officials from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The summit, themed “Achieving Sustainable Futures: Transforming Higher Education for Human Capital, Innovation, and Global Responsibility,” was spearheaded by CHED in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Running from March 10 to 12, the gathering of higher education leaders aims to advance transformative strategies for Philippine higher education under the CHED ACHIEVE Agenda.

Photo Credit: Commission on Higher Education