On September 7, 2026, Guimaras State University (GSU) took part in the Elevating Leadership and Institutional Capacity towards Excellence in Philippine Higher Education (ELITE-PHE) with University President Dr. Lilian Diana B. Parreño and Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Ann Lyn S. Tumapang representing the University.
The leadership development program called on leaders of state universities and colleges (SUCs) to deepen their leadership capacity, strategic foresight, and institutional resilience as Philippine higher education confronts artificial intelligence, digital transformation, shifting learner needs, and an increasingly international academic landscape.
In her address, CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis emphasized that institutional leadership remains central to translating policies and frameworks into concrete action.
Implemented in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), led by President and CEO Dr. Leocadio Sebastian, ELITE-PHE convened SUC presidents, executives, and board secretaries for discussions aimed at sharpening institutional leadership and strengthening organizational capacity amid an evolving higher education environment.
The program advances the “C” of CHED’s ACHIEVE Agenda—Centralized One Nation Human Capital Development Plan, with emphasis on developing leaders capable of guiding institutions, shaping policy, advancing innovation, and translating reforms into tangible gains for Filipino learners.
For GSU, participation in the undertaking provides an avenue for institutional leaders to engage with emerging governance concerns and leadership imperatives that bear on the University’s continuing pursuit of quality, adaptability, and strategic growth.
As Philippine higher education enters an increasingly technology-driven and interconnected terrain, ELITE-PHE places a premium on leadership that can anticipate change, make informed institutional decisions, and sustain organizational capacity amid new demands.



