Dr. Tichie Ann Baena, Dean of Graduate Studies at Saint Paul University Dumaguete (SPUD) and President of The Philippine Association for Graduate Education – Negros Island Region (PAGEXVIII-NIR), spearheaded a two-day Strategic Planning Workshop held on June 18-19, 2026. The activity gathered Officers and Board of Directors from member institutions to collaboratively chart a unified direction for advancing graduate education in the region.

More than simply crafting plans, the workshop provided a platform for the leaders of graduate education institutions in the Negros Island Region to reaffirm their shared responsibility in addressing emerging challenges and opportunities in higher education. The outcomes of the strategic planning process established a clear roadmap that will enable PAGE-NIR to strengthen research collaboration, faculty and student development, continuous quality improvement initiatives, internationalization efforts, community engagement, governance, and institutional partnerships.

In her message, Dr. Baena emphasized that the foundation of PAGE-NIR was built on a collective vision of cooperation and shared progress. She highlighted that,

"The genesis of PAGE-NIR was rooted in a shared conviction that progress in graduate education is best achieved not through competition but through collaboration, where institutions come together as partners in shaping a stronger academic community and a better future for all.”

This guiding principle resonated throughout the workshop as participants worked together to develop strategic directions that transcend institutional boundaries and focus on the common goal of elevating the quality and impact of graduate education in the region.

The two-day workshop featured key sessions facilitated by PAGE-NIR leaders. It commenced with an opening message from Dr. Ferdinand M. Mangibin (Silliman University), Vice President for Oriental, followed by the Direction Setting and Visioning session led by Dr. Tichie Ann E. Baena (SPUD), President, Environmental Scanning was facilitated by Dr. Eric Arthur Dio (University of St. La Salle), while Dr. Eddie de Paula (University of St. La Salle) guided the Formulation of Strategic Goals. The workshop concluded with Operational Planning led by Dr. Ryan Tayco (NORSU), Member of the Board of Directors, translating the association's strategic priorities into concrete and actionable plans.

With a renewed sense of purpose and a clearly defined strategic framework, PAGE-NIR is poised to implement meaningful and sustainable initiatives that will contribute to the continuous improvement and success of graduate education across the Negros Island Region.