The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) received from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in an awarding ceremony on November 24, 2024, the certificate granting Autonomous Status to UA&P from 2024 until 2027. UA&P was among the 92 private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in the Philippines recognized in the awarding ceremony for autonomous and deregulated PHEIs held at the Philippine International Convention Center. (Read related story here.)
Representing the University in the awarding ceremony were UA&P President Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog and Vice President for Faculty Affairs Dr. Marya Svetlana Camacho.
Under CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 07, Series of 2024, 15 PHEIs were given deregulated status while 77 private universities and colleges were granted autonomous status. Both grants have a validity period of three years that commenced on September 16, 2024, and will culminate on September 15, 2027.
Among other benefits, autonomous HEIs have the privilege to open new programs without securing prior approval from CHED.
“The 77 autonomous private universities represent the best of the best among our higher educational institutions, producing world-class graduates and are included in international rankings,” said CHED Secretary Dr. J. Prospero de Vera III in a press release on September 24. “I urge other private universities to benchmark and emulate the programs and practices of these top universities,” he said.
UA&P was first granted autonomous status in 2017. It was renewed in 2019 for another two-year period, which CHED later extended until 2023.
