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Qualified professionals and experienced workers may soon have another opportunity to earn a degree through the University of Southern Mindanao (USM). As part of its preparations for the implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), the university conducted an Orientation and Training Workshop on July 23 at the USM Commercial Building, in Kabacan, Cotabato.
According to Dr. Joy Sharon B. Gamido, Director for Instruction, ETEEAP is a program that gives qualified individuals another opportunity to earn a college degree by recognizing what they have already learned through work and professional experience. She encouraged academic leaders and focal persons to prepare their respective colleges for its implementation.
Presenting the rationale of the activity, Dr. Lawrence Antony U. Dollente, Director of the Quality Assurance Office, shared that USM had previously implemented ETEEAP and had already produced a graduate through the program. He also announced that the university currently has five Board-approved degree programs ready for implementation: Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Bachelor of Science in Development Communication, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Bachelor of Elementary Education.
According to Dr. Dollente, the workshop aimed to help participating colleges align their processes with the standards set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), particularly in student evaluation, assessment, and documentation. He added that several other academic programs are also being considered for future implementation under ETEEAP.
Serving as the resource speaker, Dr. Annabelle R. Gabriel-Moto, MPhil, Supervising Education Program Specialist of CHED Regional Office XII, discussed the legal basis and implementation of ETEEAP under Republic Act No. 12124 and CHED Memorandum Order No. 11, Series of 2025.
During her lecture, she explained that ETEEAP recognizes knowledge and skills gained through work experience, professional training, and informal or non-formal learning. Qualified applicants may earn a college degree after undergoing the program’s assessment and evaluation process instead of following the traditional path to graduation.
She also discussed the qualifications, documentary requirements, and assessment procedures for applicants. The afternoon session featured workshop activities that allowed participants to apply what they learned and prepare for the program’s implementation.
Once implemented, ETEEAP will provide qualified professionals and experienced workers with another pathway to earn a college degree by recognizing the knowledge and skills they have gained through years of work and training, provided they meet the program’s requirements and successfully complete the assessment process.
Text and Photos: Celbert Selma, Eldrich Jan Valdez, Kristine Anne Lutas, Nor Hana Mauday | USM DevCom Interns
