CHED-CAR Intensifies Its Project ACCESS, Completes 27 Sessions for Q1 2024
By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II
CHED-CAR’s intensified efforts through Project ACCESS, or Acquainting In-Coming College Entrants on Scholarships and Grants-in-Aid System, have marked significant strides in promoting universal access to quality higher education in the Cordillera region. For the First Quarter of 2024, CHED-CAR has accomplished a total of 27 sessions from 24 schools across the region that were visited (2 in Baguio, 14 in Benguet, 3 in Mountain Province, 2 in Apayao, 2 in Ifugao, and 1 in Kalinga).
Three thousand six hundred eighty-eight (3,688) benefited from the sessions and were effectively informed on the different financial assistance programs offered by CHED and UniFAST.
Project ACCESS serves as the official Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign of CHED-CAR. This visionary initiative, conceptualized by Regional Director Demetrio P. Anduyan Jr., highlights CHED-CAR’s unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive information and guidance to prospective college entrants.
Three years of dedicated service
Since its establishment and launch on May 18, 2021, during the celebration of Higher Education Week, Project ACCESS has been instrumental in bridging information gaps, particularly for underprivileged stakeholders in the region. Its inception amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores its resilience and commitment to accessibility to education.
In 2022, CHED-CAR expanded Project ACCESS’s scope by partnering with the Department of Education – Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR), integrating career counseling and discussions on pertinent societal issues affecting higher education pursuits. This collaborative approach enhanced the project’s impact and relevance to the student’s needs.
Aligned with CHED’s Strategic Plan 2024-2028, specifically the Access and Success pillar (Paglaum kag Pagdaug), Project ACCESS embodies the commitment to inclusive access and student success in higher education. It caters to senior high school learners in the Cordillera Administrative Region, delivering crucial information about CHED and UniFAST’s financial assistance programs, thereby empowering students to navigate their educational journeys effectively.
Celebrating the triumphs of higher education
In his video message for Project ACCESS sessions, Dir. Anduyan eloquently expressed that the project is an initiative and a celebration of the triumphs achieved in higher education nationwide. Over the years, higher education has emerged into a resilient, determined, and progressive landscape.
The enactment of Republic Act No. 10931, also recognized as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, has played a pivotal role in ensuring widespread access to quality tertiary education. Through the tireless efforts of Project ACCESS, the diverse array of programs established under this legislation are disseminated to the various stakeholders of the Commission, fostering a culture of knowledge dissemination and opportunity.
The concrete achievements resulting from the extensive financial assistance initiatives offered by CHED and UniFAST, including the CHED Merit Scholarship Program, are showcased through the testimonies of accomplished scholars and beneficiaries. Throughout the Project ACCESS sessions, these compelling narratives of triumphant scholars inspire and serve as resounding affirmations of the profound impact of accessible and equitable education.
CHED-CAR remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing its mission through Project ACCESS. By bridging critical information gaps and fostering partnerships, the project ensures that every aspiring college entrant in the Cordillera Administrative Region can access the resources and support needed for academic and professional success. As CHED-CAR looks towards the future, Project ACCESS will remain a beacon of hope and opportunity, embodying the spirit of progress and resilience in inclusive higher education.
