This 2023, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) has actively engaged in significant activities of the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) and the UP System. From March through November, UPOU’s involvement in a conference and various training programs has not only showcased its commitment to academic excellence but also reinforced its dedication to fostering regional collaboration and elevating educational standards within the ASEAN community.
These activities participated by several UPOU QA officials, deans, and faculty members are the following:
- AUN-QA International Conference 2023. This conference with the theme, “Driving University Excellence Through Quality: Strategies, Systems, Structures, and QA in the Context of Post-Pandemic Regional and Global Cooperation,” is the premier conference in the field of quality assurance in higher education within the ASEAN region with the aims to enhance the promotion and dissemination of the high-quality development practices of quality assurance in higher education and also to facilitate new developments in quality assurance. The conference aims to strengthen solidarity and cooperation among the region and beyond, guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, affinity, and good faith and with a commitment to the greater good and shared interests. Asst. Prof. Mari Anjeli Crisanto (Director of the Quality Assurance Office), Asst. Prof. Myra Almodiel (QA Officer of the Office of the Chancellor), Ms. Yasele Irene Angela Yambao (QA Officer of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs), Asst. Prof. Emely Amoloza (QA Officer of the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies), and Prof. Consuelo Habito (QA Officer of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies) attended the conference last 6-7 September 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.
- AUN-QA Tier 1 Training. The AUN-QA Training Course for Accomplishing Programme Assessment (Tier 1 Training) is designed to guide the participants in [1] designing the AUN-QA program assessment process, [2] explaining each of the AUN-QA criteria for program assessment, [3] applying the AUN-QA requirements to an academic program, and [4] performing a gap analysis for program improvement.
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- Batch 14. Asst. Prof. Charisse Reyes (Dean of the Faculty of Education) and Asst. Prof. Joel De Castro (PDA for Information Systems Development) joined this batch last 11-14 July 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.
- Batch 15. Prof. Joane Serrano (FMDS Dean) and Assoc. Prof. Diego Maranan (FICS Dean) joined this batch last 25-29 September 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.
- AUN-QA Tier 2 Training. The Assessor Training Workshop for AUN-QA Programme Assessment (Tier 2 Training) provides a progressive professional development for participants who have completed the first training tier. It incorporates a unique training environment where participants will be given the opportunity to work on a real self-assessment report (SAR) and observe the ‘live’ AUN-QA Programme Assessment at the respective universities.
- Batch 13. QAO Director Crisanto and FMDS QA Officer Habito joined this batch last 16-22 March 2023 at the De La Salle University, Philippines. Using the tools from the training, they have already served as assessors for the UP Los Baños Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics last 15-17 November 2023.
- Batch 14. FICS QA Officer Amoloza joined this batch last 26 October – 1 November 2023 in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
- 2023 UP External Reviewers Training. The UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) organized the UP External Reviewers Training last 12-18 November 2023 at UP Los Baños, Philippines. This training, which is based on the AUN-QA Tier 2 Training, aims to [1] equip the participants with knowledge on quality assurance and their corresponding roles and responsibilities as UP QA Officers and/or external QA reviewers, [2] equip the participants with knowledge and skills in conducting a quality assurance degree program review, [3] develop the participants’ capacity to conduct a quality assurance desktop review for a program, [4] develop the participants’ capacity to conduct a quality assurance site visit for a program inclusive of stakeholders’ interview, site tour, and document review, and [5] develop the participants’ capacity to write quality program review feedback, reports, and presentations. PDA-ISD De Castro joined this training.
UPOU’s active engagement in AUN-QA activities this 2023 reflects its unwavering dedication to academic excellence and regional collaboration. Through the conference and rigorous training, UPOU’s QA officials and faculty have not just enhanced their expertise but have also contributed significantly to elevating educational standards. These initiatives underscore UPOU’s commitment to surpassing global benchmarks, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and shaping the future of education in ASEAN and beyond.
Written by Maelyn Pisueña ♦ Edited by Mari Anjeli Crisanto ♦ Contributed by UPOU Quality Assurance Office