CHED Commissioner Apag urges stronger vision in higher education at DOrSU’s 36th anniversary
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) marked its 36th founding anniversary on December 13 with a message from guest of honor and speaker, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Desiderio R. Apag III, who underscored the need for stronger institutional vision to guide Philippine universities amid rapid changes in the education sector.
Speaking before university officials, faculty members, staff, and students, Commissioner Apag said institutions risk falling behind when they operate without clear direction or shared purpose. Citing the passage “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” he noted that vision enables universities to remain relevant and responsive.
Commissioner Apag said DOrSU’s growth—from a small state college to a full-fledged university—was the result of leaders who pushed for accessible and quality higher education in Davao Oriental. He added that the university’s development reflects how long-term planning can expand opportunities in underserved areas.
The commissioner also highlighted ongoing challenges in Philippine higher education, including learning gaps and the need for graduates who can adapt to complex global demands. He said excellence is driven not only by policies or infrastructure but by educators, administrators, and students who work with purpose.
Commissioner Apag urged faculty members to continue shaping values and preparing students for national development. He described administrators and staff as essential in sustaining systems that support the university’s mission. Students, he said, must cultivate personal vision to guide their academic and professional choices.
Commissioner Apag concluded by saying that a university’s success is measured not only by the number of graduates it produces but by the lives it transforms and the communities it uplifts.
Commissioner Apag is currently the newly assigned chairperson of DOrSU’s Board of Regents.
