CHED@22: Sustaining and Advancing the Gains

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In celebration of the Commission on Higher Education’s 22nd Founding Anniversary, two events were held to recognize exceptional and high performing higher education institutions (HEIs) and academic programs.

CHED@22 kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony and opening of the State Universities and Colleges Products and Innovations Fair. Above photo shows (L-R) CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan, CHED Commissioners Alex B. Brillantes, Ruperto S. Sangalang, Minella C. Alarcon and Maria Cynthia Rose B. Bautista. 

 
Autonomous and Deregulated status were conferred on 75 private HEIs nationwide. To achieve this distinction, institutions should have an established track record of exceptional program performance and institutional quality, demonstrated mature internal quality assurance systems as shown in their high proportion of accredited programs, garnered Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development, attained international accreditation and certification, among others.

CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan underscored that “the long-term goal is to have a critical mass of Autonomous and Deregulated HEIs that have established their internal quality assurance systems and are capable of self-regulation.” The 75 HEIs represent 4% of the total 1,708 private institutions in the country. The target is to reach at least 10%. The CHED Chair also urged HEI officials to use the benefits of their status “wisely and well” and to aspire and work for constant improvement, which is a sign of maturity and quality.

Centers of Excellence (CoEs) and Centers of Development (CoDs) were awarded in various disciplines. A total of 432 Centers nationwide were recognized, 199 Centers of Excellence and 233 Centers of Development from 139 HEIs.

Center of Excellence is a distinction granted by CHED to an institution which demonstrates exemplary performance in its teaching, research and extension function, while, Center of Development is granted to an institution with the potential to provide excellent education as evidenced by above average performance in the three areas. 

Takeda Calls for Digital Healthcare Innovation Challenge for Better Healthcare to More People

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. launched the Digital ​Healthcare ​Innovation Challenge which aims to bring together healthcare and digital experts in search for a digital innovation solution targeting oncology. Along with Takeda’s commitment to engage digital healthcare in the Philippines we are also looking to learn about relevant business opportunities in this region. This will also be our initiative to venture into support and investment for the digital community.

Why Takeda?

Globally, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda), http://www.takeda.com, is a brand which is in the forefront of providing better health for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. And the same passion that drives them to a commitment to better health with a patient-centric approach is consistent all throughout the diversity in their organization making it a strong value both for the Takeda brand and the health care industry.


Why Digital Healthcare Innovation Challenge?

“Takeda is committed to innovation, in fact it is one of our values in Takeda-ism. This is something we try to do every single day; find ways of being innovative so we can serve and support more patients.” ​ - ​Gabriel Georgy, Country Director

Most of the industries in the global scene have some disruption to make better lives out of innovative ideas. In the generation of smartphones and tablets, solutions are made available in ways we have never imagined before, and we believed that as part of Takeda’s commitment to providing better health care, our approach should also be aligned with the changing times. And by alignment, we mean working on the grassroots level with technologists. One way to do it is through our Digital ​Healthcare ​Innovation Challenge. It is not just a challenge of wit and knowledge, but of passion and innovation. By opening up the door to tech innovators, Takeda will get better access to the solutions that will help bring health care closer to the people that we serve and work with.


Who is this for?
The Takeda Digital Healthcare Innovation Challenge is for tech startups with matured digital solutions that can help Takeda provide better health care in the long term. This is an open-call for developers, programmers, incubators and mentors who have the right people that can represent and pitch the best solution that Takeda can help build, mentor and incubate.


What happens next?

The Takeda D​HIC does not stop at finding a winner; this will be an ongoing effort on the part of Takeda to support and promote healthtech solutions relevant to their patient-centric products. In the long term, the Takeda D​HIC in the Philippines will and can be our prototype for bringing this agenda to some other parts of the globe.

Winner(s) of the pitching competition will receive support from Takeda and our designated partners. The goal is to provide mentorship and/or funding support to the startups as Takeda focuses more on bigger agenda that are aligned to our corporate vision.


Schedule

The scheduled date of the Takeda Digital ​Healthcare ​Innovation Challenge is 6th August 2016 in Manila.

How a Serviced and Virtual Office Can Help Traveling Entrepreneurs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A serviced office or virtual office can provide many benefits to a traveling entrepreneur. When traveling, it's inconvenient to have to lease office space or meet in a public area like the hotel's bar to conduct serious business with clients or investors. A serviced office makes more sense for the business traveler.


Flexible Lease Agreements

Owners rent out the offices with short-term leases. It can be as little as a few days to an entire month for the lease agreement. In a traditional office, an entrepreneur would have to sign a lease that could keep him or her in the space for at least a year. That wouldn't make much sense for a traveling entrepreneur who might only be staying in that location for a week or two. 

Pay for What You Use

If you need a conference room for that big meeting with a new client, a serviced office owner can rent you the space on an hourly basis. You can use the facilities and services that you need without paying for the ones that you don't. They also have staff you can use at the facility to portray a polished and professional business appearance. 

Testing New Areas

Many entrepreneurs travel to test new markets. While they are looking for office space for rent in Makati, they can figure out if that's the market they want to invest in by testing the area first with a serviced office. You can test multiple markets before settling on a space that will require a long-term lease agreement. 

Equipment and Staff

You won't need to hire your own staff or buy new equipment while traveling for business. Serviced office spaces have owners who keep technology current for their renters. Many offices have fast Internet connections, speedy computer systems, copiers, faxes and other office equipment needed to run your business while you're traveling. 

No Downtime

When you are traveling for your business, whether it's to enter a new market or land a client, you'll have to equip and setup a new office. That requires money for desks, chairs and file cabinets. You'll need office machinery like copiers as well as printers and the accessories that go with them like toner. With a serviced office, you won't have any downtime while the office is readied for your arrival. While trying to find office space for rent in Makati, you'll be able to have a fully-functioning office to work in as you wait. 

Maintenance

Many people forget the maintenance involved in running an office. There has to be cleaners to keep the office spotless. You'll need technicians to maintain the office equipment too. With a serviced office, that's all included in the fee when you rent the space. For BGC office space for rent, you won't need to hire maintenance workers since they're provided for you.

Utilities

This is another monthly fee you don't have to worry about when you rent a serviced office space. It's an expense that is included in the fee. You won't have to worry about paying a deposit to get the lights turned on in your new space. It's all done for you.

There are many advantages of using a serviced office facility or virtual office when traveling. The entrepreneur who is on the road often won't have to work out of their hotel room or the downstairs restaurant. He or she will be able to conduct business in a professional manner with all the equipment they could need for their business.