UCU hosts CHED conference on GAD issues

Urdaneta City University hosted the 2024 Higher Education Conference on Gender Issues with the theme "Empowering Futures: Addressing HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education in Higher Education” on October 10, 2024 at the University Amphitheater. 

Promoted by the Commission on Higher Education, the conference aimed to prepare future leaders and educators to tackle the pressing issue of HIV/AIDS in their communities. With a focus on awareness, stigma reduction, and sustainable education efforts, the event brought together key stakeholders, including CHED Region 1 Director, Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, who stressed the importance of HIV/AIDS education within academic institutions.

The conference commenced with a presentation titled “HIV/AIDS 101” by Ms. Tephanie Ruth Remorin, the Provincial HIV/AIDS Coordinator from the Provincial Health Office - La Union. Her session provided attendees with an essential understanding of HIV/AIDS, including transmission, prevention, and the importance of early detection. Remorin's informative approach was designed to help educators guide their students and communities with accurate knowledge about the virus.

Following this, Ms. Remorin continued with a session on "Policy and Advocacy Programs on the Management and Prevention of HIV/AIDS," where she discussed key policies and advocacy programs aimed at managing the disease within educational institutions. She emphasized that policy-driven initiatives, when integrated with community support and advocacy, could create a lasting impact in reducing infection rates and supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS.

One of the most impactful moments of the conference was a testimonial by Mr. Ronald Kevin Barangot, President and Founder of iECHO Support Advocacy, Inc. In his talk titled “Combating the Stigma of HIV/AIDS,” Barangot shared his personal experiences and discussed the harmful effects of stigma on individuals living with HIV/AIDS. His emotional account highlighted the importance of compassion, empathy, and open dialogue in creating inclusive environments within academic and public communities.

To conclude the conference, Dr. Danilo B. Bose, Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED - Regional Office 1, led an open forum on the need for a unified commitment to combating HIV/AIDS. Participants were encouraged to commit to ongoing advocacy and educational efforts. The event wrapped up with a networking session focused on forming the Council of Deans and Heads of Medical, Health, and Biology Programs in Region 1, aiming to solidify regional partnerships and collaborative initiatives in HIV/AIDS education