San Fernando City, Pampanga (7 December) -- A national public hearing on the Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSGs) for the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree program was held on last Thursday (December 2) at the Auditorium of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in Quezon City.

Dr. Alfredo P. Co, Chairperson of the Technical Panel for Philosophy presented the proposed PSG to the 51 participants composed of deans and senior faculty from public and private HEIs all over the country.

He was also joined by Dr. Jesus Rodrigo Torres, president of the Rizal Technological University (RTU), Dr. Manuel B. Dy and Dr. Zosimo Lee, all members of the same technical panel. CHED officials and staff organized the event led by Ms. Eleanor BA Fernandez, OIC-Director, Office of Programs and Standards (OPS) and, Mr. Buenaventura D. Macatangay, OIC-Chief of the Division for Social Sciences.

The proposed new PSG is targeted to be implemented in SY 2011-2012. The courses in the program are specifically designed to develop critical and creative thinking in students; develop the students' ability to form sound value judgments; and equip the students with the skills necessary for research across disciplines. Graduates of Philosophy are expected to excel in the field of education, religious vocation, management, government, politics, communication, media and research. The AB Philosophy program is allied with programs in literature, political science, history, relevant religious studies and English. Once approved, existing HEIs shall be given three (3) years to comply.