BukSU showcases smart learning spaces at 3rd Executive Forum, joins OCDRA’s vision for Smart SUCs 2030

As State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) look toward a more connected, innovative, and globally competitive future, Bukidnon State University (BukSU) brought its Smart BukSU vision to the forefront during the 3rd Executive Forum of Commissioner Desiderio Rana Apag III, held September 1–3, 2026, at the University of Rizal System (URS) Morong Campus.

The three-day gathering brought together presidents and key officials of SUCs under the charge of Commissioner Apag III of the Office of the Commissioner, Desiderio Rana Apag III (OCDRA), providing a platform for institutional leaders to exchange practices, discuss emerging directions in higher education, and strengthen collaboration toward a shared vision for Philippine public universities.

Among the forum’s key discussions was the global rankings of universities, highlighting the growing imperative for SUCs to strengthen their international visibility and demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning, research and development, innovation, community engagement, and institutional impact.

The forum also marked the launch of systems for SUCs under OCDRA, designed to support more efficient, coordinated, and responsive institutional operations.

The forum also emphasized strengthening the people behind university governance through a seminar-workshop for Board Secretaries and Executive Assistants, recognizing their vital role in supporting decision-making, policy implementation, board processes, executive coordination, and institutional governance.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also provided inputs on key matters affecting SUCs, including SUC leveling, the University Hood, and other initiatives relevant to the continuing development and advancement of public higher education institutions.

A major highlight of the gathering was the launch of OCDRA’s Smart SUCs 2030, a forward-looking initiative that seeks to position SUCs for a future defined by innovation, digital transformation, institutional excellence, global competitiveness, and stronger responsiveness to communities and stakeholders.

The initiative aligns closely with BukSU’s transformation agenda through its Smart BukSU Hexa-Helix Framework, which brings together the university’s key dimensions of transformation toward a more agile, connected, and future-ready institution.

Representing BukSU at the forum were Dr. Joy M. Mirasol, University President; Mr. Dante S. Victoria Jr., Vice President for Administration and Finance and Board Secretary; and Ms. Astred Jill A. Catolpos, Head of the Presidential Technical Operations.

BukSU’s participation stood out when Dr. Joy M. Mirasol was invited as one of the forum’s speakers to share the university’s experience in developing Smart Learning Spaces.

In her presentation, Dr. Mirasol showcased how BukSU is reimagining learning environments beyond conventional classrooms—creating spaces that are adaptive, technology-enabled, inclusive, collaborative, and responsive to the evolving needs of learners and educators.

She emphasized that smart learning spaces are not defined solely by technology. Rather, they are part of a broader institutional transformation in which people, pedagogy, infrastructure, technology, governance, and innovation converge to create meaningful, future-ready learning experiences.

At the center of her presentation was the BukSU ARCH Framework, an integral component of the university’s Smart BukSU Hexa-Helix Framework. The framework reflects BukSU’s continuing efforts to strategically align its physical learning environments, technological capabilities, institutional systems, and human resources toward its vision of becoming a smarter and more responsive university.

Through the presentation, BukSU shared with fellow SUCs how learning spaces can become catalysts for institutional transformation—supporting not only improved teaching and learning, but also collaboration, innovation, creativity, and student engagement.

For BukSU, presenting its Smart Learning Spaces at the executive forum was also an opportunity to contribute to the national conversation on the future of higher education and show how a state university in Northern Mindanao is responding to the demands of an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

Beyond the presentations and policy discussions, the 3rd Executive Forum underscored the value of SUC-to-SUC collaboration in advancing Philippine higher education.

For BukSU, the gathering reaffirmed that becoming a smart university is not simply about adopting new technologies or systems. It is about building an institution capable of learning, adapting, innovating, and creating meaningful impact.

The forum’s vision for Smart SUCs 2030 complements BukSU’s continuing pursuit of a Smart BukSU—a university that strengthens its systems, empowers its workforce, transforms its learning environments, advances research and innovation, and places students and communities at the heart of institutional development.

As SUCs collectively move toward 2030, the forum reminded everyone that transformation is strongest when institutions learn from one another and move forward with a shared purpose.

The 3rd Executive Forum contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 – Quality Education, by promoting innovative, inclusive, technology-enabled, and future-ready learning environments and higher education systems.

It also advances SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through digital transformation, smart learning spaces, institutional systems, and innovation; SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, through strengthened governance, leadership, and institutional processes; and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective action among SUCs and CHED.

Ultimately, the 3rd Executive Forum reinforced a shared aspiration for Philippine higher education: smarter institutions, stronger partnerships, and a future-ready generation of learners. (Astred Jill A. Catolpos/ Head, Presidential Technical Operations)