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

CHED-UniFAST CAR conducted another episode of UAQTEA Time on KSU Online Radio on August 29, 2025. Hosted by Ms. Endolyn Amador, the segment featured Regional Coordinators Ms. Marife Calimodag, Ms. Jennylyn Pataras, and Ms. Ana Grace Salibad as resource persons, who discussed the programs under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA), namely Free Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), and the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP).

A highlight of the program was the testimony of Ruby G. Batoy, a fourth-year Criminology student at Kalinga State University (KSU) and a TES beneficiary. Ruby, the eldest of five children of a farmer couple from Paracelis, Mountain Province, shared her journey as a beneficiary and how the program has positively impacted her education and family.

Ruby explained that she chose Criminology out of her passion for firearms and her dream of turning that passion into a profession. Beyond her personal aspirations, she said her greatest motivation has always been her family. “I have seen all their sacrifices, and I want to give back,” she expressed.

Accepted into the TES program in Academic Year 2023–2024, Ruby shared how the TES grant lightened the financial burden on her parents, helping cover her boarding house, transportation, daily allowance, school needs, projects, and even her OJT uniform. “When I became a TES grantee, things became so much lighter, not only for me but also for my family. It also gave me confidence because I could now buy things I needed before but couldn’t afford,” she said.

She added that the stipend not only supported her studies but also motivated her to work harder, knowing she was backed by the government’s assistance. Ruby also recalled her participation in Project MARITES (Mobilizing Available Resources through Inclusive Training on Entrepreneurship of Student-Grantees), which she described as “truly unforgettable.” The training, she said, enhanced her skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership, while also building her confidence and entrepreneurial mindset.

In her message of gratitude, Ruby sincerely thanked the government, CHED, and UniFAST for the opportunity provided to students like her. She encouraged her fellow students to persevere: “Never give up on your dreams. Challenges will always be there, but if we stay determined, focused, and faithful, opportunities will come our way. Education is truly a gift, and we must make the most of it—not just for ourselves but also for our families.”

“UAQTEA Time” is an advocacy initiative of CHED-UniFAST CAR in partnership with local radio stations and higher education institutions across the region. It seeks to widen public awareness and deepen understanding of the government’s commitment to universal access to quality tertiary education. CHED-UniFAST CAR currently holds an active Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with KSU for the airing of UAQTEA Time, with one segment scheduled every semester.