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Conversion, establishment of universities: Sen. Joel Villanueva, chairman of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, presides over the hybrid hearing on 28 House bills and 10 Senate bills which seek the conversion and establishment of several state universities and colleges (SUCs). Villanueva said many are asking on the timeliness of the conversion of several schools, considering that in this time of pandemic, many, if not all, are conducting their classes online. “My answer is this: yes, it is timely and necessary. And it is for these two reasons: first, these legislations could serve as triggers for our higher educational institutions to take a step higher to increase the number of seats in our SUCs and improve their productivity; second, amid the pandemic that increased the disruptions in education, these proposals can improve the value of higher education. Not only will they open opportunities for innovation but they will also raise the variety of degree programs,” Villanueva said Monday, September 13, 2021. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)