CHED CHAIR AGRUPIS TOURS FIVE CSU CAMPUSES, COMMENDS INNOVATION AND PROMISES SUPPORT

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson and Board of Regents Chair Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis spent her second day visiting five (5) Cagayan State University (CSU) campuses on August 9-10, 2025, to see the university’s innovation-driven programs and facilities.

Joined by OIC University President Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez, former CSU President Dr. Urdujah G. Alvarado, CHED Regional Office II Regional Director Dr. Julieta M. Paras, university officials, and campus leaders, Dr. Agrupis began her tour at CSU Piat Campus to visit the DOST-funded Dairy Processing Center, producer of the campus’ signature “Itawes Fresh” milk drink.

She then visited the newly established CSU Solana–Lara Campus, built on land donated by Dr. Zara “Pulsar” D. Lara through the efforts of Congressman Joseph “Jojo” Lasam Lara.

At CSU Gonzaga, Dr. Agrupis toured the Mangrove and Bamboo Research and Innovation Center (MABRIC), part of the campus niche program on agroforestry, which advocates for bamboo cultivation and commercialization.

Her next stop was CSU Lal-lo, where she sampled the Urdujah Premium, King Arthur Dark Roast, and Oliviante Robusta blends developed under the ₱5-million Coffee Hub Program, which integrates coffee research, production, and tourism.

A new coffee variety, the Agrupis Blend, named in honor of the chairperson, was also unveiled.

Conceived under CSU’s Coffee Hub Program, the blend pays tribute to her legacy as an Ilocana leader of beauty, brilliance, resilience, and innovation.

“Like its namesake, every brew is purposeful — bold, refined, and unapologetically excellent,” said Dr. Ana Marie C. Cauilan, Vice President for Internationalization and Resource Mobilization and proponent of the Coffee Hub Program.

Following its introduction, Dr. Agrupis visited the processing center, where she personally took part in grinding the beans herself.

“I hope we can really make it not only a coffee hub but a coffee tourism hub of Cagayan,” Dr. Agrupis said, urging CSU to submit proposals for more funding. “I cannot promise heavens and earth, my dear CSUans, but submit proposals… that merit fundings for you to step up and dominate the coffee world.”

At CSU Aparri, Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis received a warm hometown welcome, embraced by family, friends, and even her former high school teacher.

Her visit included a tour of the campus fishponds teeming with Saline Tilapia, Milkfish, and Mangrove Crabs, showcasing the campus’ initiatives to advance sustainable agro-fishery practices and promote ecotourism in the community.

In her speech, she commended the unified interest of every campus in initiating innovations responsive to the needs not only of the university but also the communities it serves.

“[The zeal and commitment that the university shows inspired me that I can be the partner in making Cagayan Sate University realize its vision to be the central hub of development in the country,” she said.

Before leaving the province, Dr. Agrupis and the CSU team returned to CSU Carig, marking the conclusion of her multi-campus tour. Her seven-campus visit follows her lucky number — what she fondly calls her ‘Magic 7.

As she continues her leadership as CHED Chairperson, she carries with her the university’s aspirations, to advance higher education in Cagayan and uplift the lives and livelihoods of its communities.