CHED Commissioner Libre underscores the relevance of innovation and research in future advancement

Hon. Jo Mark M. Libre, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and CSU Board of Regents Chairperson, served as keynote speaker in part 1 of the recently concluded International Science and Technology for Development 2022 Forum (iSciTech4Dev 2022 Forum) held at the Caraga State University- HERO Learning Commons Auditorium on November 14-18, 2022.

Comm. Libre highlighted how research, development, and higher education are crucial to national development, especially amidst pandemic restrictions. Hon. Libre believes that innovation and research are essential to the advancement of our future. He emphasized the relevant contributions of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), especially the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to national development in his keynote speech. He quipped, "higher education ensures the creation of development through research by offering invaluable and contextualized knowledge in policy formulation and implementation and resolving existential issues."

Moreover, Comm. Libre extolled the help of research and innovation to the country’s education sector when "the world was going through many changes.” He added, “Research and development are vital to the future because they make relevant contributions in developing learning pedagogies that foster innovations and, at the same time, inclusion and equity."

Commissioner Libre further acknowledged the roles of the faculty researchers and their research outputs in advancing the COVID-19 pandemic recovery plan of the national and local governments. He stated, “These studies have produced the COVID-19 recovery framework that structures ready and available, trustworthy and credible, and usable for the environment in local government." He mentioned that education must continue with this kind of activity (iSciTech4Dev), especially in these difficult and crucial times to ensure that students receive high-quality education." OVPRIE/PICO