The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges – National Capital Region, kicked off the three-day 2022 State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Fair with the theme “Promoting Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Culture and Arts for National Development and Global Competitiveness” on June 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Pasay City.

The SUC Fair highlighted higher education institutions’ sustained excellence, unified efforts, and competitive standards.

UPLB joined the event along with 80 state universities and colleges. SUC presidents and administrators attended the opening ceremony.

In his opening speech, CHED Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III commended the SUC presidents and administrators for ensuring that education continues amidst the worst times of the pandemic. He also recognized the fair as an opportunity for the SUCs to showcase their expertise and talents and highlight their research and extension functions.

“Our theme is really to show the best of our state universities and colleges in terms of their teaching functions through free higher education and now, their research and extension functions through this SUC fair,” he said.

Incoming House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said in his message that the fair is an exhibition of excellence of the SUCs from various regions. He also expressed delight in being part of the fair.

“Through your leadership, you are actually nation-building. Each graduate that you have nurtured and educated will be the building block for progress and peace for the country. That will be your legacy and future,” he said.

Joining UPLB as representatives of the UP System were the Philippine Genome Center and UP Manila. UPLB exhibited some of its signature products, including dairy products from the Dairy Training and Research Institute, seeds and plants from the Institute of Plant Breeding, fruit juices and wines from the Institute of Food Science and Technology, and UP merchandise from the UPLB Alumni Association.

The SUC Fair will be a three-day event from June 28 to July 1 and will host plenary talks on entrepreneurship, research and innovation, and culture and the arts for national development. It will also feature cultural shows and artistic competitions with participants from various regions. (Kyle Ramiel Dalangin)