NEUST participates in EDCOM II–AACCUP strategic alignment on national learning recovery

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) participated in the EDCOM II–AACCUP Joint Event on “Strategic Alignment on the Role of SUCs and AACCUP in National Learning Recovery,” held on September 2, 2026, at the CHED Auditorium, Higher Education Development Center, Diliman, Quezon City.

The event brought together SUC leaders, quality assurance officials, research and extension directors, AACCUP officers, and the EDCOM II Technical Secretariat to discuss the role of higher education institutions in addressing learning gaps and supporting national learning recovery.

Representing NEUST were Dr. Rhodora Jugo, SUC President III; Dr. Analyn Gamit, Director for Quality Assurance Office; Dr. Marivic Villegas, Director for Extension Services Department; Dr. Angelo Santos, Director of the Curriculum Development and Evaluation Office; and Dr. Jo Neil Peria, Dean of the College of Education.

The program started with remarks from Dr. Milabel Ho, Executive Director of AACCUP, followed by keynote messages from Congressman Jude Acidre and Senator Joel Villanueva, emphasizing the shared responsibility of educational institutions in addressing learning gaps and strengthening the link between institutional initiatives and measurable outcomes.

CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis likewise highlighted the significant role of higher education, particularly in teacher education, research, extension, and quality assurance, in advancing national learning recovery.

Dr. Karol Mark Yee of EDCOM II then presented key data and findings on the challenges affecting Philippine education, providing an evidence base for the succeeding discussions.

Meanwhile, PASUC President Dr. Tirso Ronquillo reaffirmed the commitment of State Universities and Colleges to strengthen collaboration and mobilize their institutional capacities in addressing identified education and learning-recovery priorities.

During the afternoon breakout sessions, participants were grouped into five priority areas: Nutrition, Literacy, Learner Well-being and Mental Health, Inclusive Education, and Public Education and Governance.

For NEUST, Dr. Jugo, Dr. Gamit, and Dr. Santos joined the Literacy group; Dr. Villegas participated in the Public Education and Governance group; while Dr. Peria joined the Inclusive Education group.

The groups engaged in workshop discussions and presented their respective outputs during the plenary session.

The event concluded with the presentation of the breakout-session outputs, the signing of the EDCOM II–AACCUP Memorandum of Agreement, the discussion of the summary and next steps, and the closing remarks of Dr. Anthony Penaso, Chair/President of AACCUP.

Through its participation, NEUST reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative, evidence-informed, and quality-focused initiatives that contribute to improved education and community outcomes.

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