Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Philippine higher education is at a crossroads. As institutions grapple with an evolving economic landscape, the mechanisms designed to regulate them are facing intense scrutiny. A new seminar series, a collaboration between the UP CIDS Higher Education Research and Policy Reform Program and the FEU Public Policy Center, is poised to expose the critical—and often controversial—issues surrounding the economic regulation of universities and colleges. This isn't just about policy; it's about the future of education in the Philippines.
The Economic Undercurrents of Academic Regulation
The six-part seminar series dives deep into the complex relationship between economics and academic governance. It aims to shed light on how regulatory decisions affect everything from tuition fees to the quality of education provided. The series stems from the vital ongoing research of Dr. Michael M. Alba, a Trustee of the FEU Public Policy Center, conducted under the prestigious UP President Edgardo J. Angara Fellowship.
This research, which began in 2024, is the foundation for a necessary public dialogue on regulatory effectiveness and institutional fairness.
Seminars One to Three: A Deeper Look
The first three seminars, scheduled for July, August, and September 2025, tackle some of the most pressing issues in the sector:
Seminar 1: The Rationale—July 30, 2025
The Economic Bases of Regulating Higher Education
This session will explore the fundamental economic reasons for government intervention in higher education. It will analyze why regulation is necessary and the economic principles that should guide policy.
Seminar 2: Price Regulation—August 27, 2025
CHED’s De Facto Price Cap Regulation of Private Higher Education Institutions
A pivotal topic, this seminar will address the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s informal—yet powerful—influence over tuition costs in private institutions. It will examine the impact of these "de facto" price caps and whether they serve the best interests of students and institutions alike.
Seminar 3: Regulatory Independence and Competitive Neutrality—September 24, 2025
CHED’s (Compromised) Regulatory Independence and the (Lack of) Competitive Neutrality between Public and Private Higher Education Institutions
Perhaps the most dramatic session, this seminar will scrutinize CHED’s independence. It will investigate whether the regulatory body’s autonomy is compromised and explore the stark imbalance, or lack of competitive neutrality, between public and private higher education institutions. This discussion promises to be a lightning rod for debate on fairness and equity within the sector.
Beyond the Seminars: UP CIDS and Policy Reform
The seminar series is a key initiative of the Higher Education Research and Policy Reform Program, one of 16 vital research programs under the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS). As the University of the Philippines' dedicated policy research unit, UP CIDS plays a crucial role in providing evidence-based analysis for national development.
Beyond the seminar series, UP CIDS offers a wealth of resources, including over 1,000 policy papers available for download. Recent publications have tackled diverse issues from the high cost of electricity and barriers to entry in the energy sector to regulatory practices for food and hazardous substances and the challenges of post-normal science.
Join the Conversation
The seminars are scheduled from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at FEU Makati. Seats are limited.
To participate in this critical discussion and register for the seminars, email highereducation@up.edu.ph or message 09278836039.
What do you believe is the single most pressing issue facing the regulation of higher education in the Philippines today?
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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