Quezon City University Selected for USAID’s UPSKILL Transformation Accelerator Program
Quezon City University (QCU) has been chosen as one of the 12 institutions to join the prestigious USAID-funded U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Transformation Accelerator Program. The university’s proposed project, “Green Curriculum: Enhancing Urban Agriculture and Environmental Responsibility through Higher Education (EARtH),” aims to integrate sustainability and environmental responsibility into its curriculum while addressing the growing need for urban agriculture.
Led by Mr. Angelito P. Bautista Jr., Director of the QCU Research Management Office, the project team also includes QCU President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza, Dean Ryan F. Arago, Dean Randel Estacio, Ms. Paula Dela Cruz, and Mr. Lenard Bien. The initiative reflects QCU’s commitment to fostering innovation and advancing education to meet the needs of local communities.
“This program provides us with a platform to turn ideas into impactful actions,” said Mr. Bautista. “Our project, EARtH, is a testament to QCU’s dedication to sustainability and our belief in the power of education to drive positive environmental change.”
The UPSKILL Transformation Accelerator, implemented by RTI International and the University Design Institute (UDI) in collaboration with Arizona State University, focuses on four key areas: digital transformation, innovation and commercialization, curriculum reform, and access and inclusion. The program supports higher education institutions in designing, ideating, and prototyping projects that enhance local communities and strengthen Philippine higher education.
QCU President Dr. Theresita V. Atienza expressed her pride in the university’s selection, stating, “This recognition reaffirms QCU’s role as a transformative institution committed to addressing societal challenges. Through this program, we aim to empower students and communities to champion sustainability and innovation.”
The Transformation Accelerator was launched on November 8, 2024, at Mapua University – Makati, with representatives from the 12 participating institutions, USAID, and the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED). CHED Chairperson Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III praised the selected teams for their innovative proposals and their commitment to addressing critical challenges in higher education.
The program will take the QCU team through a multi-phase journey, including design workshops, mentoring sessions, and access to global and local experts. Ultimately, the university’s participation in the UPSKILL program will enable it to refine its project and potentially secure funding for implementation.
Through EARtH, QCU aims to create a greener future by integrating sustainability into higher education while addressing urban agriculture’s pressing challenges. This opportunity not only elevates QCU’s academic impact but also reinforces its dedication to fostering innovation and addressing community nee
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