UC is Cordillera’s FIRST PRIVATE HEI Center for Human Rights Education

Baguio City, Philippines – The University of the Cordilleras (UC) has officially become the first private higher education institution in the region to be designated as a Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), marking a significant step in strengthening rights-based education in Northern Luzon.

To formalize the designation, a memorandum of agreement was signed on March 26, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen awareness and appreciation of human rights, positioning educational institutions as key drivers in promoting dignity, justice, and accountability.

The CHRE is a designation granted by the CHR to selected schools—particularly colleges and universities—that commit to actively promoting human rights education within their institutions and communities. It serves as a hub where human rights principles are taught, studied, and practiced.

Under the program, as reported by local media, the university will deepen the integration of human rights in its curriculum, promote related research, and expand community partnerships.

UC’s recognition distinguishes it as the first private institution in the Cordillera to join the CHRE network, further expanding the reach of human rights education across both public and private academic sectors in the region.

Meanwhile, other public higher education institutions in the region have also participated in the CHRE initiative, including Kalinga State University, where the CHR conducted capability-building programs for its human rights education center in September 2024.

Although not formally accredited like UC, KSU’s involvement in the initiative indicates ongoing efforts among state universities to advance rights-based education.