By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

Continuing its commitment to professional development and innovation in higher education, CHED-UniFAST CAR wrapped up its 2025 SEED Project (Skills Enhancement and Employee Development) Series, a regional initiative, with the fourth and final episode on Smart Work Automation: Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Excellence on December 17, 2025, at Gever’s Hall, Saint Louis University, Baguio City. The event gathered UniFAST Focal Persons and Registrars from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the Cordillera region for an interactive session focused on leveraging automation and technology to enhance efficiency and promote excellence in higher education administration.

The session featured Ms. Cecilia Mercado, PhDEM, Chief Information Technology Officer of the Information Systems and Technology Services Department at SLU, and Ma. Concepcion B. Clemente, MIT, Faculty and Assistant Data Protection Officer at SLU, as resource persons. They discussed the benefits of automation, including the use of applications and artificial intelligence to streamline processes and improve productivity in higher education institutions.

This episode was anchored on the I and E pillars of the CHED ACHIEVE Agenda—Integrated Real-Time Data Collection and Analytics and Effective and Efficient Public Service—highlighting how technology can be harnessed to achieve data-driven decision-making and responsive service delivery in HEIs.

The final episode built on the learning from earlier SEED Project sessions in 2025, which covered essential digital and communication skills, including Data Visualization Using Chart.js, Storytelling in the Digital Age: Empowering Communicators Through Social Media, and The Art of Visual Storytelling: Video Editing Skills for Dynamic Content Creation.

In the afternoon, the fourth quarter meeting of the UniFAST team with HEI representatives was held. Ms. Jezeny O. Laoyan, Lead Regional Coordinator, presented the 2025 accomplishments of the UniFAST team and highlighted the ASSIST Agenda, underscoring key initiatives and milestones achieved throughout the year.

The event also featured the fourth quarter meeting of the Association of Registrars in Higher Education Institutions in Cordillera (ARHEIC), presided over by Dr. Andrew Macalma, Registrar of SLU and President of ARHEIC, who facilitated discussions and shared insights on best practices in higher education administration and collaborative initiatives among HEIs.

Through this session, CHED-UniFAST CAR continues to strengthen the professional capabilities of UniFAST Focal Persons and HEI staff, promoting efficiency, innovation, and excellence in higher education processes across the Cordillera region.