The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is intensifying efforts to bridge the gap between the academe and the information technology (IT) industry via the CHEDX 2.0 summit for future-ready students and graduates.
At the event opening In Davao City on Wednesday, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III underscored the importance of creating stronger partnerships between universities and IT industry leaders to ensure that skills taught in classrooms are aligned with the demands of the rapidly changing global labor market.
“It should be clear to all of us, that synergy is no longer optional. It is essential and required,” de Vera said.
De Vera said the CHEDX concept started in 2023 after the commission saw the changing needs in the global labor market, particularly in the IT industry, brought about by the emergence of new and advanced technologies.
These changes, he said, demanded a re-evaluation of IT education, together with the IT-BPM (Business Process Management) sector, to strengthen collaborative efforts and ensure that graduates possess skills and knowledge that fit industry needs.
He said the CHEDX 2.0 theme "Building Synergy: Aligning IT Education with Industry" calls for action to rethink how students are prepared to meet industry needs and lead in the future.
“The opportunities for our students are vast, but the challenges are also daunting and significant. To prepare our students, we must bridge the gap between academe and industry and work together,” de Vera said.
He said with the rise of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and quantum computing, there is a strong need to adapt curricula to meet industry demands.
De Vera noted that the IT sector has become a major driver of the Philippine economy, employing over 1.8 million Filipinos and generating $38 billion in revenue.
He said CHED commits to fostering competency-based education and industry partnerships.
“We are working to ensure that our universities produce graduates who can thrive in the global IT market, not just in the local job market," he said.
He said the commission has rolled out initiatives such as the Global Education Assessment Tool and the Skills Mapping Program in 17 state universities and colleges nationwide to ensure students acquire the right skills for the digital age.
Meanwhile, de Vera called on universities to integrate emerging technologies into their curriculum, develop students' adaptability and lifelong learning skills, and encourage industries to be more involved in university operations.
"For so long, the industry-academe relationship has been contentious, but it is time for both sides to reach out and understand each other’s needs," he explained.
"We must produce graduates who can excel anywhere in the world. Whether they work locally or abroad, the quality of their education should remain the same," de Vera said.
