SMU named one of four EQUATE Awardees in Region 2, among 120 in the Philippines
MANILA, PHILIPPINES | Saint Mary’s University (SMU) has been named one of the four recipients of the Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education (EQUATE) Award in Region 2, joining an outstanding group of 120 awardees across the country, dubbed by Hon. J. Prospero De Vera III, the CHED chairperson, as the “best of the best”. The prestigious recognition was conferred for the first time by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) during a ceremony held today, April 2, 2025, at The Manila Hotel, Ermita, Manila.
The EQUATE Award honors Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) that have demonstrated outstanding quality in pre-service teacher education, assessed through key indicators such as accreditation achievements, curriculum excellence, licensure examination performance, and adherence to quality assurance measures.
SMU’s selection as an EQUATE Awardee is an evidence of its commitment to providing top-tier education for future educators, maintaining quality academic standards, and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in teacher preparation.
The EQUATE Awards ceremony gathered top-performing TEIs from various regions, recognizing their invaluable contributions to elevating the standards of teacher education in the country. CHED officials commended the awardees for their exemplary performance and role in shaping the next generation of educators.
Aside from the awarding ceremony, the event also included key lectures and messages from the following: Dr. Carlos Vargas-Tames (Head, International Teacher Task Force Secretariat, UNESCO Paris Headquarters), Prof. Edizon A. Fermin, PhD (Chair, CHED Technical Panel for Teacher Education) on CHED Strategic Directions in Philippine Teacher Education, Hon. J. Prospero E. De Vera III, DPA (Chairperson, Commission on Higher Education), Hon. Mark O. Go (District Representative, City of Baguio; Chairperson, House Committee on Higher and Technical Education), Hon. Alan Peter S. Cayetano (Senator and Chair, Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education), Hon. Lucas P. Bersamin (Executive Secretary of the Philippines), and Hon. Sherwin T. Gatchalian (Senator and Chair, Senate Committee on Basic Education).
