Leaders and representatives from higher education institutions across the Philippines gathered for the Higher Education Summit 2026  on March 10–12, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Clark. The summit carried the theme “Achieving Sustainable Futures: Transformative Higher Education for Human Capital, Innovation, and Global Responsibility.”

Organized by the Commission on Higher Education(CHED) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST Philippines ), the event brought together representatives from state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs), and private higher education institutions (HEIs) to discuss the future direction of Philippine higher education and strengthen institutional collaboration.

Representing Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) was College President Joy C. Capistrano, who joined fellow higher education leaders in discussions on innovation and collaboration in the academic sector.

CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis highlighted the importance of strengthening the country’s higher education system and introduced the ACHIEVE Agenda (2025–2030), aligned with the Bagong Pilipinas vision and the Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, which focuses on expanding access to quality education, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring academic programs remain responsive to societal and industry needs.

Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. emphasized the role of science, technology, and innovation in transforming knowledge into practical solutions that support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agricultural development, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth.

A key highlight of the summit was the SDG Action Summit: Higher Education, Science, and Technology, which underscored the role of universities and colleges in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, innovation, and multi-sector collaboration.

The summit also featured high-level dialogues, panel discussions, and workshops on curriculum development, research and innovation, governance, and institutional partnerships, aimed at strengthening collaboration and developing SDG Blueprint strategies for national and global development.

The Higher Education Summit 2026 emphasized strengthening a future-ready higher education sector, reaffirming the commitment to expand access to quality education and prepare graduates for national and global challenges.