The country’s higher education must be reconfigured to make it attuned to the needs of the post-pandemic world and ensure the Philippines’ global competitiveness, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) during the National Higher Education Day Summit, President Marcos said rehashed talking points at the summit are the “last thing we need now.”

“Besides, what we have learned a long time ago is actually no longer relevant. We have seen the changes in the requirements of the new global post-pandemic economy and for us to be able to participate successfully in that new global economy, we must have a skilled workforce,” he told summit participants.

“And that will depend upon their training and their education. I would rather that consensus forged in this summit be incorporated in the proposed budget for CHED and SUCs for 2025 because only then can ideas be translated into reality,” he pointed out.

The President hoped that as everyone looks further in the higher education horizon, the summit could yield answers and solutions to the challenges and opportunities the sector is facing.

He encouraged every stakeholder to work with the government and strengthen efforts towards an inclusive, equitable, accessible, and sustainable higher education sector.

President Marcos rallied for a unified action to mold a new generation of critical thinkers, problem solvers, and visionaries who will realize the aspiration for a Bagong Pilipinas and push the nation into a future of growth, opportunity, and prosperity.

“In my view, it is the only way that our country will succeed,” he said.

The President also acknowledged the gargantuan task at hand, although he said 81 Philippine Higher Educational Institutions have been included in various world university rankings last year, no Philippine university has reached the Top 100 in the recent Times Higher Education’s 2024 Asia University Rankings. | PND