QCU Celebrates 26 PDL Graduates, Advancing Inclusive Education and Second Chances
Twenty-six Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) made history as they received their college diplomas during the Quezon City University (QCU) Commencement Exercises 2026, marking a significant milestone in the University’s commitment to making higher education accessible to learners regardless of their circumstances.
The graduates completed their college education through a collaborative initiative of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology–National Capital Region (BJMP-NCR), the Quezon City Government, and Quezon City University. The program forms part of Quezon City’s pioneering “No Woman Left Behind” Program, which provides women PDLs with opportunities to pursue education and develop skills that can support their reintegration into society.
Through QCU’s commitment to inclusive and accessible education, dedicated learning spaces equipped with educational technologies were established inside the female and male dormitories, allowing PDL-students to pursue their college studies within the correctional facility.
“We want our PDLs to feel that they are true students and not just dormers,” said QCU President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, emphasizing the University’s commitment to ensuring that every learner is given the opportunity to pursue higher education.
The initiative was initially implemented for women PDLs before QCU expanded the program to the male dormitory in 2025. This expansion paved the way for the first batch of male PDL graduates to join their female counterparts in the 2026 Commencement Exercises.
The program reflects the shared efforts of QCU, BJMP, and the Quezon City Government to create learning opportunities that equip PDLs with knowledge, skills, and renewed opportunities for life beyond incarceration.
For the graduates, earning a college degree required perseverance amid the challenges of pursuing education while in detention.
One batch representative recalled how the support of the institutions involved helped them complete their academic requirements despite limited access to resources.
“Despite the limited access, they did everything possible so we could complete our modules and exams. To those facing struggles, never give up or lose hope. As long as there is a tomorrow, there is hope.”
The graduate’s message reflects the determination shared by the 26 PDL graduates, whose achievement demonstrates the role of education in providing opportunities for personal development, empowerment, and reintegration.
Beyond their diplomas, the graduates leave the program with strengthened confidence, new knowledge, and a renewed sense of purpose. Their journey underscores QCU’s belief that education can open pathways to opportunity and help individuals build a better future, regardless of circumstance.
Through initiatives such as this, QCU continues to advance its commitment to inclusive education and its mission of creating opportunities for learners who seek to transform their lives through education.
Education can be more than a qualification—it can be a pathway toward a new beginning.
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