The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), conducted the Elevating Leadership and Institutional Capacity Towards Excellence in Philippine Higher Education (ELITE-PHE) program from September 6 to 9, 2026, at the DAP Conference Center in Tagaytay City, bringing together leaders and officials of state universities and colleges (SUCs).
Conducted under CHED HUSAY, ELITE-PHE strengthens the leadership and governance capabilities of SUC leaders and officials to enhance institutional performance, improve decision-making, and strengthen the delivery of quality higher education.
Aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s thrust to strengthen the country’s human capital, the program also prepares higher education institutions to respond to changing learner needs, rapid technological developments, and the evolving demands of the workforce.
At the opening ceremony on September 7, CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis underscored the critical role of institutional leaders in translating policies, resources, and reforms into concrete results.
DAP President and CEO Leocadio Sebastian also welcomed the participants and reaffirmed DAP’s partnership with CHED in strengthening leadership across the higher education sector.
“A policy can establish a direction. A framework can provide guidance. Resources can make implementation possible. But institutional leaders still have to make the crucial decisions,” Chairperson Agrupis said.
ELITE-PHE has three tracks designed for different roles in SUC leadership and governance: the Executive Training Program for Presidents for SUC presidents; Governance Strengthening for Effective SUC Oversight for Board Secretaries; and the Executive Leadership Development Program for selected future SUC presidents and higher education leaders.
Forty CHED-DAP scholars nationwide were selected for the three-month Executive Leadership Development Program, which focuses on strategic leadership and advanced governance skills and runs until November 2026.
ELITE-PHE supports CHED’s ACHIEVE Agenda, particularly the Centralized One Nation Human Capital Development Plan, which seeks to better align higher education with the country’s workforce and long-term development needs. (PR)
