UPLB will soon have a new unit that will benefit public higher education sector in the country – the Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education (OIDHE).

This is according to Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., who said that he proposed to create such an office to take the lead role that UPLB has been playing in providing its expertise and sharing its experiences in institutional development to state universities and colleges (SUC) and local universities and colleges (LUC).

“Establishing OIDHE is consistent with our mandate as the national university,” Chancellor Sanchez further said, adding that the proposal was already approved at the level of the UP President’s Advisory Committee. 

OIDHE is envisioned to support the country’s SUCs and LUCs in instruction and research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, engineering, veterinary medicine, and community and rural development.

As a national university, UP has a role in performing unique and distinctive leadership in higher education and development in the country, as stipulated in the Republic Act 9500 or the UP Charter. 

“OIDHE will be responsible for helping build the capacity of SUCs and LUCs through technical assistance in curriculum development, collaborative research, faculty development, and leadership development,” said Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., in his official letter dated Aug. 24, 2020 to UP President Danilo L. Concepcion, endorsing the approval of the proposed office.

This proposed office will be cooperating and collaborating with the Commission on Higher Education in its various programs.

It will also assist in evaluating higher education data and policies in relation to national needs and global demands, provide leadership development and technical assistance services, facilitate research collaboration with SUCs and LUCs, and provide access of SUC and LUC junior faculty members to UPLB’s graduate programs.

OIDHE is proposed to be placed under the direct supervision of the Office of the Chancellor. It will be headed by a director. (Mark Jayson E. Gloria)