The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is urging Philippine universities and colleges to accelerate their shift toward artificial intelligence (AI), inclusivity, and digital transformation to ensure graduates remain globally competitive.
“AI is no longer the future. It is actually here—from adaptive learning platforms to virtual laboratories,” said CHED Commissioner Dr. Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela in her keynote address at the CanvasCon Philippines 2025, held Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City.
Valenzuela emphasized that higher education institutions (HEIs) must rethink outdated models of teaching and assessment, stressing that many schools are still preparing students for jobs that may no longer exist. She cited regional studies noting that “by 2030 more than half of existing jobs will require advanced digital skills.”
She further underscored that learning should evolve alongside technology: “Jobs will change, skills will evolve, technologies will advance—but learning must never stop. AI will make that possible, and that is how we prepare students not just for the future of work but for the future of life.”
The one-day conference brought together educators, administrators, and private sector leaders to discuss practical strategies for transforming learning through digital tools. A major focus was “agentic AI,” highlighting its ability to personalize education, transform teaching, and streamline academic management.
Valenzuela also reminded participants that AI must be grounded in values: “AI shouldn’t just make our lives easier; it should make our world better. And that will only happen if ethics, equity, and sustainability are built into the foundation.”
Prominent speakers included Ryan Lufkin, Vice President for Global Academic Strategy at Instructure; Harrison Kelly, Instructure’s APAC Managing Director; Martin Bean, CEO of The Bean Center; Leopoldo Valdez, OIC President of Holy Angel University; and Alma Emerita V. De La Cruz, Senior Vice President of FEU Roosevelt.
A highlight panel, “Today’s Learner Journey, Reimagined,” explored how digital platforms are reshaping education to be more flexible and connected—an approach CHED has been championing in its post-pandemic reforms.
