Premiering the new space for meaningful graduate-level discussions, Pampanga State University (PamSU) served as the launchpad for the inaugural episode of the Elevated Conversations (EC) series held at the PamSU Main Campus on September 12, 2026.

The project was participated in by 22 State Universities and Colleges, collectively known as the “Magnificent 22,” under the oversight of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Michelle Aguilar-Ong.

The presidents of the Magnificent 22, including PamSU President Dr. Enrique G. Baking, formally expressed their support and commitment to adopting and implementing the project by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with participants joining both online and in person.

“It is both a privilege and a responsibility for Pampanga State University to serve as the launching pad for Elevated Discussion,” Dr. Baking stated.

“Let us elevate conversation, deepen collaboration, and together shape a more responsive and future-ready higher education landscape,” Dr. Baking further said.

This initiative envisions a transformative higher education framework that reflects CHED’s ACHIEVE Agenda 2030 vision of moving beyond traditional professional compliance and technical training.

“PamSU, thank you for agreeing to go first. Being first carries a special responsibility because what begins here helps establish the culture that the succeeding conversations can build upon,” Comm. Aguilar-Ong said.

She also reiterated the commitment of the Magnificent 22 to the EC series, saying that it will create a space in every participating institution to stop, think, listen, and reconsider, as universities can become so busy doing the work that we sometimes forget to ask whether there might be a better way of doing it.

Meanwhile, PamSU Graduate School (GS) unveiled the AGORA: Elevated Conversation Lounge at the Graduate School Building through a ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing of the facility.

AGORA lounge inaugurated the EC series with the theme “Sustaining the Unsustainable” featuring Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro, Jr. President of Wesleyan University – Philippines and a GS professor at PamSU.

Dr. Alvaro Jr. discussed the growing impact of artificial intelligence on various professions and the need for universities to adapt where he emphasized that higher education institutions must address the existing systemic weaknesses and needs.

Representing PamSU during the activity were Dr. Dolores Quiambao, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services and Dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Ranie Canlas, Vice President for Research, Innovation, Training, and Extension; and Engr. Reden Hernandez, Executive Vice President, concurrent Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Vice President for Administration and Finance, along with Graduate School professors and students.

Photo credits: Public and Media Affairs Unit

{makeGallery}

path=</images/PampangaStateU_Articles/2026/News/September/09142026 - Agora/09122026-AGORA->

count=25

{/makeGallery}