Network of polytechnic educators in PH launched

A consortium of educational institutions seeking to strengthen polytechnic education in the Philippines was recently launched during a national summit last October 14 to 16.

The Philippine Polytechnic Education Network (PhilPEN) was launched during the National Summit on Polytechnic Education led by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

“Let's work together as one polytechnic. Let us build a consortium that will advance polytechnic education, that will contribute to national progress while responding to global challenges,” said PUP president Manuel Muhi.

PhilPEN aims to establish a Philippine Polytechnic Education Framework to harmonize curricula, elevate quality assurance standards, and promote work-integrated learning for evolving workforce demands.

The network will expand cross-border applied research, strengthen industry partnerships, and address real-world community challenges.

With support from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and alignment with ASEAN polytechnic practices, PhilPEN also seeks to enhance regional labor mobility and international collaboration.

"We gather not just to improve what we do but to redefine who we are. As polytechnic leaders, our purpose is clear: to build an education ecosystem where knowledge serves communities, research solves real problems, and our greatest measure of success is the public value we create," said PUP Vice President for Research, Extension and Development Anna Ruby Gapasin.

The summit was participated by several state universities and colleges such as the Adiong Memorial State College, Camarines Sur Polytechnics Colleges, Dalubhasaang Politekniko ng Lungsod ng Baliwag, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Limay Polytechnic College, Marikina Polytechnic College, Navotas Polytechnic College, Pangasinan Polytechnic College, Polytechnic College of Botolan, Palompon Institute of Technology, and Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology.

Representatives from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Technical Vocational Schools Association also participated in the three-day summit. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA News