10 CAS Programs Complete Online External Quality Assurance
All of the ten undergraduate programs of the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) underwent their very first External Quality Assurance (EQA) audit via Zoom from November 25 to November 29, 2024.
Various stakeholders of the college participated in the assessment interviews initiated by trained external reviewers from different campuses of the University of the Philippines (UP). Two external reviewers were assigned for each degree program. The first session was opened with Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Bernadette Heizel M. Reyes, and CAS Dean, Dr. Maria Constancia O. Carrillo, giving inspirational messages and talking about the importance of quality assurance. This was followed by a series of interviews with the Dean’s management team and department chairs. The first day of the EQA ended with an interview session with the academic staff.
The rest of the week was allotted for separate interviews with the students, support staff, alumni, employers, and the Self-Assessment Report (SAR) teams, which were done simultaneously via Zoom break out rooms.
On its last day, each set of external reviewers reported their initial findings about the program that they assessed. The program was then formally closed by Dean Carrillo and Chief External Reviewer, Dr. Coralie Therese Dimacali of the UP College of Medicine. The EQA aims to ensure that educational institutions maintain high-quality inclusive teaching and learning, and to instill the mindset of self-improvement. This aligns with the college’s position that the EQA is a step forward in improving the quality of teaching, research, and collaboration within and outside its premises.
The organization of the event followed UP System’s Quality Assurance Guide for EQA version 4.0. The SAR of the ten programs followed the format of the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Guide to AUN-QA Assessment at Programme Level version 4.0.
The event was organized by the CAS Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Julius Andrew P. Nuñez, and CAS Quality Assurance (QA) Focal Persons, Dr. Miriam de Vera, Ms. Anabel Abulencia, and Ms. Rozheane Hilario. They were assisted by project assistants, Mr. Ronel Bernabe and Ms. Sofia Ysabelle Julia, and each program’s hired technical staff. They were guided by the UPM Quality Assurance Office Director, Dr. Bhabita V. Murjani.
The event was funded by UPM’s Academic Program Improvement (API) funds.
Congratulations to all of the ten undergraduate programs of CAS!
The Office of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (OADAA) extend its gratitude to everyone who joined and participated the event. Maraming salamat po!
(Article written by Eva Casaljay)