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Shirley C. Agrupis, Ph.D.
Dr. Shirley Castañeda Agrupis, a seasoned and published academician, researcher, and public servant, currently serves as a Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), a position she assumed on September 6, 2024. Prior to this, she was a University Professor and the immediate past President of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU). As CHED Commissioner, Dr. Agrupis oversees 22 state universities and colleges (SUCs) across Northern Luzon, Central and Eastern Visayas, Central and Southern Mindanao, CARAGA, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Her vision focuses on refining internal protocols, standardizing procedures, and promoting key government advocacies to strengthen governance and foster a unified approach to advancing education, research, and public service across these regions.
Dr. Agrupis has earned numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. Notably, she is a two-time recipient of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, having been named a 2024 National Semi-Finalist and the 2020 Regional Awardee by the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) Search for Outstanding Government Workers. She has also been recognized with the Philippine Resilience Awards for Women by the Climate Change Commission, the 2022 Internationalization Leadership Award from CHED, and the 2021 Outstanding Science Administrator Award by the National Academy of Science and Technology. Dr. Agrupis was celebrated as the Most Outstanding Ilocano in 2019 for her contributions as an educational leader, which significantly uplifted the lives of Ilocanos. That same year, she received the William D. Dar Research Leadership Award from the Philippine Association of Research Managers, among other distinctions.
As the 7th President and the first MMSU alumna to occupy the post, Dr. Agrupis has led MMSU through a transformative journey, achieving significant milestones in accreditation and global recognition. In the first two years of her presidency, she was able to steer MMSU to become ISO-certified for all processes and become the first Philippine SUC to be rated as a three-star university in the QS Stars Rating system in 2019 and further advancing this year to a prestigious four-star university.
With unwavering dedication, she spearheaded MMSU’s ascent in global rankings, securing impressive positions in esteemed assessments such as UI GreenMetrics Ranking; QS Stars Rating; and the World Universities with Real Impact (WURI) Rankings. Notably, MMSU recently ranked 2nd globally in Generative AI Application, 4th in Support for Global Resilience, and 8th in Industrial Application, highlighting its substantial contributions to cutting-edge research and global societal impact.
Continuing to affirm its prominence, MMSU maintained its standing in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, ranking 601st-800th globally, and excelled as the nation’s leading institution for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Additionally, MMSU excelled in SDG 6: Affordable and Clean Energy, ranking 101-200 globally and 2nd nationally, driven by initiatives such as the National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center, where Dr. Agrupis remains actively engaged as program leader.
Dr. Agrupis’s strategic focus on internationalization expanded MMSU’s global influence through increased international linkages and mobility of faculty and students and led its successful adaptation into the ‘new normal’ as a “smart university” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Desiderio R. Apag III, D.Eng, PCpE
A distinguished engineering professional and academic leader, was born on September 19, 1973, in Cagayan de Oro City. With a career marked by academic excellence and leadership, Dr. Apag’s educational journey includes his secondary school achievements, where he received the highest honor as the Regional Winner in the Philippine Mathematical Olympiad, was awarded Most Outstanding in Mathematics, and graduated as Valedictorian. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City (1995), a Master of Engineering in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (2006), and holds a Doctor of Engineering degree with a major in Mechanical Engineering (Robotics) from Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, where he was a full scholar of the DOST-ERDT. While pursuing his dissertation studies, he was awarded a full scholarship grant by DOST for a Ph.D. Sandwich Program at the Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz GmbH, DFKI Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany, from April to August 2017. In June 2020, he successfully defended his dissertation entitled “ROBOLIGHT: An Intelligent Lighting System for Hospital Operating Rooms” and earned his Doctor of Engineering degree, majoring in Mechanical Engineering (Robotics).
In addition to his formal degrees, Dr. Apag has pursued advanced education and training to further develop his expertise. He completed the 27th Foundation Course of the Paralegal Training Program conducted by the UP-Law Center Paralegal Training Program Committee at the UP College of Law, UP Diliman, Quezon City, from May 27 – August 26, 2023. He also participated in the Fellowship Program (Digital Skills Enhancement Training for Flexible Learning) organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Korea National Open University in Seoul, South Korea, from June 4 – 13, 2023. Furthermore, Dr. Apag was a scholar in the Advanced Training on Human Resource Development in Companies: Competence & Competition Through Skills Development at InWEnt Capacity Building International in Mannheim, Germany, from October 17 to November 11, 2005.
He has received numerous awards throughout his career. He was awarded 2nd Best Paper in the 20th NORMCARRD Regional Symposium on Research and Development, Best in Project Proposal, Best in E-Learning Application, and Best in Completed Project in the DEKA-10 Research Award sponsored by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 10. He was also consistently awarded the Most Outstanding Employee of the Year in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), where he served as the Chief Administrative Officer of CHED Regional Office 10. He initiated the CHED-10 Smart Office and introduced innovations such as the Queueing Management System (QMS), Enrollment Data Collection System (EDCS), Electronic Certification, Authentication and Verification System (e-CAVS), and the Electronic Special-Order Management System (e-SOMS). Previously, he also served as the Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (March 1, 2022 to April 9, 2023), and as Education Supervisor II (July 25, 2011 to February 28, 2022). He also held the position of Planning Officer Designate (January 4, 2018 to February 2022), contributing significantly to the development and management of higher education policies and programs in the region. He was named an Island Innovation Ambassador in 2023 and received the In Touch with Excellence Award from the Department of Science and Technology in 2022.
Dr. Apag holds top positions in various professional and scientific organizations. In 2007, he was elected as the 1st PSITE Region 10 Interim President. From 2014 to 2019, he served three consecutive terms as the National President of the Association of United Filipinos Trained in Germany, the most active German Alumni Association in Asia. He was also elected for two consecutive terms as the National President of the Institute of Computer Engineers of the Philippines (ICpEP) from 2018 to 2021. Among his legacies in ICpEP were the creation of the Computer Engineering Certification Board and the endorsement of the CpE Bill (HB0743) entitled, “An Act Providing for a More Responsive and Comprehensive Regulation for the Registration, Licensing, and Practice of Professional Computer Engineers, Registered Computer Engineers, Computer Engineering Technologists, and Computer Technicians.” He also currently serves as the National President of the Philippine Society of Engineering Educators. Furthermore, he was elected Chairman of the Southeast Asia Green Network (SEAG-N), the Global Partner of Germany in the Southeast Asia region, with member countries including Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
His professional qualifications are bolstered by certifications as an ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor, Internal Auditor, and Data Protection Officer. He is also a scientific paper reviewer for the International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI). His career spans notable academic and professional roles in various institutions. He served as a Training Instructor for Mathematics at Qatar Aeronautical College, Ras Abu Abboud, Doha, Qatar, from October 27, 2010 – November 11, 2010. He also worked as a Training Instructor for Mathematics and Science at Qatar Petroleum, Corporate Training Department, Ras Abbu Aboud, Doha, Qatar, from March 31, 2009 – October 04, 2010.
Additionally, he served as an Assistant Professor II at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Claro M. Recto, Cagayan de Oro City, from June 8, 1998 – January 31, 2009, and as the Director of Registry and Students Information Services (December 11, 2006 – December 11, 2007). He was also the Over-all Chairman of the SIIT Accreditation Task Force (September 3, 2002 – December 11, 2006). Earlier in his career, he worked as a College Instructor at Cagayan de Oro College, Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, from June 8, 1996 – May 31, 1998.
Currently, Dr. Apag serves as a Commissioner at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), contributing to the advancement of higher education and the development of policies that foster growth and innovation in the sector.
Dr. Apag’s contributions extend beyond engineering, as he is also a musician, choir trainer, and an advocate for lifelong learning, always striving to advance technology, education, and professional development. His dedication continues to make a significant impact on the engineering and higher education sectors, as well as international collaborations.
Ricmar P. Aquino, Ph.D.
Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino assumed office as University President of Isabela State University (ISU) from May 19, 2017 to May 20, 2021 for his first term and was reappointed by the Isabela State University (ISU) Board of Regents from May 20, 2021 to May 19, 2025 by a unanimous vote from all members with an outstanding rating performance. Dr. Aquino’s visionary leadership has profoundly shaped the landscape of Philippine higher education—both nationally and internationally.
Under his dynamic stewardship, ISU sustained the coveted State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Level IV classification—the highest accreditation tier among SUCs in the country. ISU emerged as the top-performing state university, possessing the most significant number of Level III accredited programs and Six (6) Level IV programs, as recognized by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) with 100 percent program compliance for the BS degree programs of ISU. Under his term, Isabela State University became a producer of topnotchers with a very high passing rate of graduates in licensure examinations. These accomplishments reflect Dr. Aquino’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
Beyond national accreditation, Dr. Aquino brought ISU onto the global stage through strategic internationalization efforts. He was able to forge active partnership with University of Zurich, Switzerland with funding support from Department of Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Embassy in Switzerland, Kyoto University, Japan with funding support from DOST and Japan Science and Technology (JST), Vives University and Howest University in Belgium and top Universities in Vietnam and Taiwan. His partnership with Kyoto University led to the establishment of the International Organization on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Management with Dr. Aquino as the founding President. This led to the implementation of research programs and projects co-implemented by ISU, Kyoto University, Thuyloy University and Vu Gia German University particularly in the Cagayan River Basin, Magat Dam, Angat Dam and selected River Basins in Vietnam, mainstreaming the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach. The results of the research projects have been adopted by the Japan International Cooperation Agreement (JICA) as bases for the conduct of assessment for Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects of Japan and National Irrigation Administration in crafting the Dam Discharge Protocol utilizing the flood forecasting models developed by Kyoto University and Isabela State University. Through this engagement, Kyoto University proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Hub for Disaster Risk Reduction Management at Isabela State University.
During his tenure, ISU made significant strides in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, leaping from the 801–1000 bracket in 2023 to the 401–600 tier in the 2025 rankings out of 2,526 globally participating institutions. ISU also ranked 2nd among the top three universities in the Philippines in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) for the higher education sector. This remarkable progress underscores ISU’s dedication to social impact, sustainability, and global partnerships. During his term, ISU has obtained its membership with Asian University Network-Quality Assurance to ensure that programs of ISU will be at par with Asian Universities.
Dr. Aquino’s administration also led ISU to earn ISO certification, and its most recent Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Level II recognition – the only state university in Northeastern Philippines to receive three successive PQA citations. These awards honor organizational excellence and the rigorous implementation of international quality standards in education and management, underscoring Dr. Aquino’s dedication to “ISU’s Way Forward on Smart Education and Governance.”
His forward-thinking approach expanded ISU’s academic horizons, including the pioneering launch of the Doctor of Medicine program, Data Science Analytics and innovative programs in Smart and Precision Agriculture with CHED-designated Centers of Development.
His leadership also transformed ISU into the research powerhouse of Region 02, with 26 research and development centers and two DOST-recognized Niche Centers for Research and Development. These research centers have been contributing in providing solutions to regional and national challenges and concerns.
Notably, Dr. Aquino’s exemplary public service has earned him multiple honors—including the Regional Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award—and most recently, the induction of the Cagayan Valley Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium which he chaired, into the Hall of Fame for the “DOST-PCAARRD Ugnay Award” in 2024. This recognition celebrates sustained excellence and innovative leadership in education and research, reinforcing his legacy as a transformative leader of Isabela State University. Additionally, only recently, he was shortlisted among the top three (3) outstanding research administrators by DOST-PCAARRD and ISU among the top three (3) best Research institutions. He is now awaiting the final results of evaluation.
Following an outstanding performance evaluation and unanimous reappointment, Dr. Aquino was appointed as University Professor, shaping the next generation of academic leaders. His legacy as president resonates in ISU’s culture of excellence, internationalization, and innovation.
Only recently in August 2025, he was appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino—is a true architect of transformation, a beacon of educational quality, and a distinguished role model for all.
Myrna Q. Mallari, DBA, CPA
Commissioner Myrna Quiambao Mallari is a distinguished public servant, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and an internationally recognized leader in program and institutional quality assurance and academic governance. With over four decades of service to the Philippine higher education sector, her career is a testament to transformative leadership, unwavering fiscal integrity, and a deep, sustained commitment to elevating educational standards across the nation.
Commissioner Mallari’s most notable achievements stem from her tenure as the University President of Tarlac State University (TSU) from 2014 to 2022. She led the university through unprecedented institutional growth and recognition, achieving major milestones that set national benchmarks for state universities and colleges. Under her guidance, TSU was one of the first SUCs to be recognized with the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Level II in 2021 for exemplary organizational performance. She also steered the university to achieve the highest Level IV Institutional Accreditation (IA) by the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) in 2020, a first for Region III. Her vision also secured TSU’s inclusion in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings in 2022, attesting to the institution’s international standing.
Commissioner Mallari brings unparalleled expertise in both fiscal integrity and academic quality assurance. A CPA by profession, her leadership ensured sound financial management, earning sustained Unqualified Opinions from the Commission on Audit (COA) throughout her terms and allowing the university to use internally generated income to fund significant infrastructure development. Beyond finance, Commissioner Mallari’s commitment to Quality Assurance began in 1987 as one of the first AACCUP accreditors. Her expertise is underscored by her leadership as the former President and Chairperson of the AACCUP Board of Trustees, where she made history as the organization’s only woman president.
She has also lent her expert oversight to HEIs in the country as the Chair of the CHED National Review Committee for CHED-Funded Internationalization Programs (CHED-iNRC) and as an assessor for the CHED Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT).
Commissioner Mallari holds a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) and a Master in Public Administration (M.P.A.), and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Accounting. A published researcher, she has won awards for several of her papers and has authored books on Accountancy and Bookkeeping Manual for Cooperatives. Her dedication has earned numerous high-level accolades, including the Civil Service Commission PAGASA Regional Awardee (2021), the Outstanding Tarlaqueno Awardee (2016), and the Honorary Life Member status from the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) (2017). Her commitment to national security and governance is recognized through her role as the Chair of the Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) for the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM), for which she received the AFP Pagkakaisa Award (2023).
Commissioner Mallari is married to Dr. Noel Mallari, a distinguished academic who earned his Doctor of Public Administration from UP Diliman and served as a professor at a state university. Their excellence is also reflected in their three children, who are high achievers in their own fields: Napolexander, a medical doctor; Myrel, a professor; and Nathaniel, an engineer.
Michelle A. Ong, DPA
Dr. Michelle Aguilar Ong is a trailblazer in Philippine higher education, known for her pioneering leadership and advocacy for community colleges, and the first commissioner to be appointed to the Commission on Higher Education from a local college.
Prior to her appointment, she was the Special Assistant to the President of the University of the Philippines System and an Affiliate Professor, preparing to be the next Vice President of the UP System, recognizing her as a respected academic leader and higher education reform advocate with extensive experience in institutional transformation, internationalization, and policy development. Her diverse professional background that spans academia, corporate sectors, community development, and media public affairs allows her to provide a fresh and inclusive perspective on education, seamlessly blending educational efforts in internationalization, lifelong learning, and student success with countryside development throughout the various higher education institutions.
As the former President of Mabalacat City College (MCC) from 2020–2025, she elevated the institution to international prominence, making it the first local college included in global rankings such as World University Rankings for Innovation, and the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, receiving the THE Award Asia 2024 for Outstanding Technological or Digital Innovation. Under her leadership, MCC became a benchmark for inclusivity, innovation, and workforce development through programs and policies that champion gender, equity, inclusivity, accessibility and sustainable development goals such as the MCC Pro Plus, First Generation program, Return to Education Assistance Program, Admission by Condition, Juana Policy, First Settlers Policy, Inclusivity Policy, as well as comprehensive programs for student services like the opening of a lifelong learning center and corporate boards. These programs added to MCC’s accolades: a two-time regional champion for student support services; included in the World Scientist and University Rankings 2023, made by the Ad Scientific Index, a CHED ICONS Awardee for various internationalizations programs, a THE Asia finalist in 2021, earning the Outstanding Student Support Services and Technological Innovation of the Year, and the only local college to be cited during the State of Nation Address in 2024.
She became CHED Special Adviser on Local Colleges and Universities (2024–2025), contributing to national strategies for community college development, and a Consultant for Higher Education for LGU Angeles. She has also served as a Visiting Professor for the graduate school programs in Public Administration, Organization and Management, Public Policy Research, and Business Administration at the Don Honorio Ventura State University, now the Pampanga State University. Her diverse work experience includes being the Executive Director of the Nayong Filipino Foundation in 2019, Assistant Executive Director for the Clark Development Corporation for Task Force Redland, a Consultant to the Local Government Unit of Mabalacat City, a Television Host for a Public and Media Affairs Program (2014-2017) and the School Director of The Academy of Performing Arts.
A Fulbright Visiting Scholar at the Florida State University, she completed her postdoctoral research on community college accreditation and earned a certificate in Curriculum Development from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in Canada. She holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Administration, graduating with the highest distinction (Meritissimus), and a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from the University of the Philippines Manila.
A polyglot, an artist, a wife, and a mother of four, hailing from Lal-lo, Cagayan, she considers it her mission and advocacy to shape higher education policy and innovation through the lens of community development and sustainability in the Philippines.