The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Fair 2022 was held from June 28 to July 1 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, Pasay City. Bestsellers during the fair include agricultural, dairy, and souvenir products from UP Los Baños (UPLB).
The SUC fair highlighted UP’s response to the pandemic, specifically through technologies from the UP Philippine Genome Center (PGC) and the UP Surgical Innovation and Biotechnology (SIBOL) program.
PGC showcased its COVID RT-PCR testing, bio-surveillance, and genomic sequencing capabilities and activities through print materials. Also exhibited were its COVID info-materials and multi-Omics technology platforms.
Medical devices recently invented by SIBOL were exhibited: a face mask reusable up to 30 wash cycles but one that has biodegradable filters; the Powered Air Purifying Respirator providing clean air through a battery-operated blower connected to a loose-fitting hood or helmet; the Prone Pillow Plus for enlarged chests and abdomen, with slots for wires to monitor fetal heart tones and uterine contractions; the RxBox Telemetry System enabling healthcare workers to monitor vital signs remotely; and, the myBESHIE or Bot Ensuring Safety and Health in Isolated Environments enabling remote humanlike communication between patients in isolation, healthcare workers, and other parties without the need for internet.
The CHED-initiated fair was hosted this year by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges-National Capital Region and the Philippine Normal University in partnership with the private National University. It carried the theme, “Promoting Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Culture, and Arts for National Development and Global Competitiveness,” and the tagline, “WeAreSUC: Sustained Excellence, Unified Efforts, Competitive Standards.”
A total of 81 public and private institutions participated in the fair, the second to be held and the first following the enactment in 2021 of Republic Act 11522 commemorating a National Higher Education Day every year, which SUC Fair 2022 celebrated together with the anniversary of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
During his speech, CHED Chair Prospero de Vera recognized the SUC presidents for ensuring that the free higher education law was correctly implemented. “These presidents are also responsible for ensuring that education continued in the worst times of COVID,” he added.
“Today, they are here because they want to show another aspect of their state universities and colleges’ expertise… They are exhibiting their products through their research and extension programs,” De Vera said.
(This article, written by Jo. Florendo B. Lontoc, was first published in the UP System Website on July 1, 2022)