CHED – Commission on Higher Education – Purpose, Functions, and Responsibilities

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is the Philippines’ premier institution in charge of improving student access to quality tertiary education.  It has been granted a mandate by the Philippine government to “promote equity of access, effective teaching and learning and curriculum enhancement with the twin goals of ensuring that graduates are globally competitive, locally relevant for global markets.

Also Read: List of OWWA Scholarships and Education Training Programs

This article will provide information about CHED’s purpose as well as its various programs such as scholarships for OFWs or first-year students who enroll in one of its member universities/colleges courses among others.

Overview

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was established on May 18, 1994, when Republic Act No. 7722, or the Higher Education Act of 1994, was signed into law. CHED, an administratively affiliated agency to the Office of the President, is led by a chairperson and four commissioners, each of whom serves a four-year term.

The Commission En Banc serves as a consultative group for the formulation of higher education goals, programs, and strategies, as well as the functioning of CHED.

The Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) established a broad agenda of education reforms in 1992, which included the establishment of CHED. The education sector was trifocalized as part of the reforms, with the CHED overseeing tertiary and graduate education, the Department of Education (DepEd) overseeing basic education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) overseeing technical-vocational and middle-level education.

What is CHED?

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is the Philippine government’s agency in charge of promoting relevant and high-quality higher education, as well as ensuring and protecting academic freedom for continued intellectual growth, advancement of learning and research, development of responsible and effective leadership, education of high-level professionals, and enrichment of historical and cultural heritages.

What are the Benefits?

CHED promotes equal access to education, improved teaching and learning, and curriculum development. Scholarships are also offered from CHED for qualifying students and dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Vision

The following is the CHED vision statement:

Philippine higher education system that is equitable and producing locally responsive, innovative, and globally competitive graduates and lifelong learners.

Mission

The following is the CHED mission statement:

To promote equitable access and ensure quality and relevance of higher education institutions and their programs.

Mandate

In accordance with Republic Act 7722, and in light of the national government’s commitment to transformational leadership that prioritizes education as a key strategy for investing in the Filipino people, decreasing poverty, and increasing national competitiveness, CHED shall:

• Ensure and safeguard academic freedom in order to promote intellectual growth, learning and research, the development of responsible and effective leadership, the education of high-level professionals, and the preservation of historical and cultural heritages;
• Ensure that high-quality higher education is available to everyone who wants it, even those who can’t afford it;
• Promote relevant and high-quality higher education (i.e., institutions and programs that meet worldwide standards, and graduates and professionals who are highly qualified and well-known on a global scale); and
• Commit to moral ascendancy in the Commission and the sub-sector, eradicating corrupt practices, institutionalizing openness and accountability, and encouraging participatory governance.

Objectives

The general societal objective of CHED is to achieve equitable growth and sustainable development, whereas the goals of the higher education sub-sector are to produce high-level human resources and to generate, adapt, and transmit knowledge and technology for national development and worldwide competitiveness.

In the next five years, CHED aspires to accomplish the following objectives:

• Improve the relevance of higher education institutions (HEIs), programs, systems, and research;
• Improve the country’s higher education institutions, programs, and systems in order to meet worldwide standards;
• Increase the number of people who have access to high-quality higher education;
• Operate the higher education system efficiently and effectively, guaranteeing transparency and integrity in its programs and activities as part of its commitment to moral ascendancy; and
• Strengthen the Commission on Higher Education, as well as other key stakeholders

Programs and Services

All Filipinos, including those who live in the Philippines and those who live overseas, can benefit from CHED’s programs and services. CHED specialized in granting scholarships to deserving students and dependents of OFWs.

For further information, have a look at this comprehensive list of programs and services available to all Filipinos.

ASEAN European Academic University Network (ASEA-UNINET)

The ASEAN European Academic University Network (ASEA-UNINET) is a university network made up of European and Southeast Asian universities that aims to promote the internationalization of education and research.

ASEA UNINET is dedicated to achieving the following goals:

• Assist member universities in creating resource coalitions for academic initiatives.
• Encourage and make it easier for academic institutions to collaborate.
• Encourage faculty, staff, and students to collaborate on projects of mutual interest and value.
• Exchange faculty and students, as well as teaching and research activities.
• Facilitate interactions between universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and economic operators in countries with member universities who are working on projects connected to education, science, technology, and art.
• Promote personal and professional interactions in the fields of science, culture, and humanities.

Cash Grant

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) jointly announced the Implementing Guidelines for Cash Grants to Medical Students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs), which intends to give tuition fee subsidy and financial help to all medical students enrolled in specified SUCs offering Doctor of Medicine Program.

Who is eligible to apply?

The program is open to all new and continuing Filipino medical students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine Program at the following SUCs:

1. Bicol University – Daraga, Albay
2. Cagayan State University – Carig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
3. Mariano Marcos State University – Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte
4. Mindanao State University – Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur
5. University of Northern Philippines – Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
6. University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine – Pedro Gil, Manila
7. University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences – Palo, Leyte
8. West Visayas State University – Luna Street, La Paz, Iloilo City

What is the best way to secure a file application?

Visit the SUCs that are offering Doctor of Medicine programs.

Centers of Development (CODs)

COD refers to a department within a higher education institution that has the potential to become a Center of Excellence (COE) in the future by improving their teaching, research, and service activities in order to contribute to nation-building and development.

Regional Centers of Development

• NCR
• CAR
• Region I – Ilocos Region
• Region II – Cagayan Valley
• Region III – Central Luzon
• Region IV – CALABARZON
• MIMAROPA
• Region V – Bicol Region
• Region VI – Western Visayas
• Region VII – Central Visayas
• Region VIII – Eastern Visayas
• Region IX – Zambuanga Peninsula
• Region X – Northern Mindanao
• Region XI – Davao Region
• Region XII – SOCCSKSARGEN
• Region XIII- CARAGA

Centers of Excellence (COEs)

COE is a department within a higher education institution that consistently performs well in the areas of teaching, research and publication, extension and links, and institutional credentials to contribute to nation-building and development.

Regional Centers of Excellence

• NCR
• CAR
• Region I – Ilocos Region
• Region II – Cagayan Valley
• Region III – Central Luzon
• Region IV – CALABARZON
• MIMAROPA
• Region V – Bicol Region
• Region VI – Western Visayas
• Region VII – Central Visayas
• Region VIII – Eastern Visayas
• Region IX – Zambuanga Peninsula
• Region X – Northern Mindanao
• Region XI – Davao Region
• Region XII – SOCCSKSARGEN
• Region XIII- CARAGA

Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation (ETEEAP)

The ETEEAP is a comprehensive tertiary educational assessment program that recognizes, accredits, and assigns equivalencies to persons’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values earned via appropriate work. It is carried out through delegated higher education institutions, which will give the required college diploma.

Beneficiaries must be Filipinos or overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with a high school diploma or similar. They must have worked in the field or industry connected to the academic program for which they are getting equivalence for at least five years. They must also be able to demonstrate skill, capability, and comprehensive knowledge in the field for which they are applying for equivalency.

Faculty Development Program (FDP)

The credentials and skills of the faculty have a significant impact on the educational quality. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) mandates that professors at the higher education level have a master’s degree in the fields in which they teach, in recognition of the faculty’s critical role in affecting educational outcomes. The Faculty Development Program (FDP) is a vital component of ensuring quality education by laying a strong foundation for an educational system.

National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System (NAFES)

NAFES seeks to create, maintain, and support a comprehensive and integrated system of agriculture and fisheries education (AFE), modernize and rationalize agriculture and fisheries education from elementary to tertiary levels, unify the system of academic program implementation, improve quality, and assure sustainability while promoting global competitiveness at all levels of AFE.

Philippine Center for Academic Information and Mobility

The International Affairs Staff (IAS) is mandated to serve as a clearinghouse for all bilateral and multilateral academic agreements, services, exchanges, international recognition of degrees and qualifications, and policy coordination on the inflow and outflow of international students and services, according to the Commission on Higher Education Rationalization Plan 2013 (RatPlan) (in cooperation with OPRKM-KMD, OSDS-ISD and CHEDROs).

Research Development and Extension

With these six subject areas/platforms, CHED provides research development and extension to all Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs):

1. “Biodiversity and Conservation in the Terrestrial and Marine Economy”
2. “Environmental Protection, Disaster Prevention, Climate Change, and Energy
3. “Food Security and Production”
4. “Health Systems”
5. “Innovative Engineering and Smart Analytics”
6. “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Education”

CHED Foreign Scholarship and Training Programs

The list consists of foreign scholarship and training programs for Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that will be available in year 2022.

• 2022-2023 Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) Program
• Artificial Intelligence and Computer Engineering (AiCE) Scholarship 2022
• ASEAN-CHINA Young Leaders Scholarship 2022
• Australia Awards Scholarships 2023 Intake
• Bilateral State Scholarship Program (Summer Courses) for Academic Year 2022-2023
• Chulalongkorn International School of Engineering Second Round of International Admission 2022 and Scholarship Opportunities for Foreign Students
• Doctoral Fellowship in India for ASEAN 2022
• Dr. Goh Keng Swee (GKS) Scholarship 2022
• Fulbright-Philippine Agriculture Scholarship Program for Graduate Studies A.Y. 2023-2024
• Higher Education for ASEAN Talents (HEAT) Scholarship in the Republic of Korea
• International Imam Hatip High Schools and Theology Faculties for the Term 2022-2023
• JICA Master’s Degree in Flood Disaster Risk Reduction for Academic Year 2022-2023
• JICA Master’s Degree in Maritime Safety and Security Policy for Academic Year 2022
• JICA Master’s Degree in Seismology Earthquake Engineering and Tsunami Disaster Mitigation
• Scholarships for Master’s Degree Under the Thailand International Postgraduate Programme (TIPP) For AY 2022
• Thailand Scholarships 2022
• Undergraduate Scholarships Programs for International Students Offered by the University of Cyprus
• US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR) Youth Summit 2022, Istanbul, Turkey

Video: How to Apply for CHED Scholarship

Are you an OFW, or do you have a family member or relative that needs a scholarship? This video is ideal for you because it explains what the requirements, qualifications, and application process are.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any further questions regarding the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), see the list of frequently asked questions and answers below.

1. What is CHED?

The Philippine government’s executive department, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), is charged with contributing to national security and the protection of territorial integrity and sovereignty. It also protects and promotes the rights and welfare of Filipinos living overseas and mobilizes them as partners in national development.

2. What is the CHED email address?

CHED email addresses are:

• CHED Regional Office 1: chedro1@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 2: chedro2@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 3: chedro3@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 4: ched4a@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office MIMAROPA: chedro4b@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 5: chedro5@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 6: chedro6@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 7: chedro7@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 8: chedro8@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 9: chedro9@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 10: chedro10@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 11: chedro11@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office 12: chedro12@ched.gov.ph
• CHEDRO NCR: chedncr@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office CAR: chedcar@ched.gov.ph
• CHED Regional Office CARAGA: chedcaraga@ched.gov.ph

3. What is the CHED hotline?

You can reach the CHED via their hotline:

• CHED Regional Office 1: (072) 242-0238 / 242-5017
• CHED Regional Office 2: (078) 396-0651 / 304-1650
• CHED Regional Office 3: (045) 436-1847
• CHED Regional Office 4: (02) 8332-4734
• CHED Regional Office MIMAROPA: (02) 8922-1850
• CHED Regional Office 5: (052) 481-5096
• CHED Regional Office 6: (033) 329-5955 | (033) 508-8852
• CHED Regional Office 7: (032) 414-9194 / 414-9195 / 422-7096
• CHED Regional Office 8: (053) 888-1343
• CHED Regional Office 9: (062) 991-7648 / 991-7084
• CHED Regional Office 10: (088) 880-8513 / 880-8563
• CHED Regional Office 11: N/A
• CHED Regional Office 12: (083) 228-1127 / 228-7570
• CHEDRO NCR: (02) 8441-0879 / 8441-0985 / 8441-1224
• CHED Regional Office CAR: (074) 422-4052
• CHED Regional Office CARAGA: (085) 342-5253 / 815-3699

4. Can I go directly to CHED?

Yes, you can visit the CHED office directly; however one of the CHED Online Services is the Appointment System, which allows you to schedule a visit to any CHED regional offices for CHED-related applications, questions and issues. You can save time and avoid long lines at the CHED regional office by scheduling an appointment online.

5. How do I make an appointment at CHED?

You can schedule an appointment at https://script.google.com/macros/s/AKfycbw-Zzvj5ONvL4HqyvU27wRPAmixj6JubS_Mg3NLy8Z3EnSDnr50/exec.

6. What is the purpose of CHED?

CHED’s purpose is to improve student success by promoting equity of access, effective teaching and learning, and curriculum enhancement, with the twin goals of ensuring that graduates are globally competitive, locally relevant, and socially responsive.

7. Is it possible for OFWs to apply for CHED?

The CHED-DOLE TABANG OFW-Tertiary Education Subsidy is currently open for dependents of repatriated, displaced, or deceased OFWs. During the CoViD19 pandemic, this is intended for one college-level dependent of an OFW.

8. Who is eligible for a CHED scholarship?

All Filipino citizens and OFWs who enroll in any of the courses offered by CHED member universities and colleges (Sample list of disciplines: http://www.ched.gov.ph/academic-programs), whether public or private, and regardless of whether they have taken advantage of government educational loan programs such as PECSEM (http://bitly.com/PUSLads), TLDP (http://www.ched.gov.ph/loan-programs), and SULONG.

9. What should one do before submitting an application?

An applicant must notify his or her school of the courses for which he or she is applying, and then send an official letter from his or her school to the CHED Regional Office in the area where the application is being made.

10. Can I apply for the CHED Scholarship if I am a first-year student? How about my sibling?

Yes! The program is known as the First-Year Students Enhancement Program (FYSEP). It’s only for freshmen who plan to enroll in one of the CHED member institutions’ or colleges’ courses. During out-of-class evaluations, applicants are expected to have a high first-year college grade, which is normally 2.00/4.00 or better.

StuFAP, which is solely open to siblings of students who graduated from CHED institutions, is another option for sibling applicants (or if the latter enrolls in graduate studies). Applicant must also be enrolled or plan to enroll at one of the CHED member universities within one semester of application or one semester before graduation (up to one and a half years), whichever comes first. Throughout his undergraduate studies, the beneficiary must maintain a 3.50 GPA.

11. How many courses am I allowed to enroll in?

A maximum of two courses from various professions can be taken by applicants.

Summary

So this is what the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) provides for its students. They have many programs and services available for Filipinos.

CHED promotes equal access to education, improved teaching and learning, and curriculum development. Scholarships are also offered from CHED for qualifying students and dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Contact Information

CHED Office
Address: Higher Education Development Center Building, C.P. Garcia Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
E-mail address: info@ched.gov.ph
Telephone Numbers:

• Public Assistance and Complaints Desk – (02) 8441-1260
• CHED Hotline – 0999-4445-996

Website: https://ched.gov.ph/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PhCHED.gov

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