The UPOU Quality Assurance Office (QAO) launched its “Metrics and Chill” (M&C) capacity building series on 23 May 2025 at the Audio-Visual Room, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. Key personnel responsible for handling data attended the event.
M&C is a part of the “iQAO at akOU” program, which aims to streamline and standardize quality assurance processes in the university. The series’ first episode, titled “Data Collection 101,” covered data gathered by offices for quality assurance systems such as iAADS, PBMS, and university rankings.
Metrics and Chill: Data Collection 101 participants from the Faculties of Study and three main offices of UPOU, which handle data collection and management
In her opening remarks, Chancellor Joane V. Serrano highlighted data’s role in key university decision-making. Chancellor Serrano also commended the QAO team for holding such events to address data collection problems and improve process efficiency. She hoped that through these initiatives, participants will see data collection not as a burden but a shared commitment to a quality-assured university.
Asst. Prof. Ria Valerie D. Cabanes, QAO Director, gave an overview and facilitated the discussion on iAADS and PBMS data collection. She presented UPOU’s status in data collection and management as well as the data collection challenges faced by QAO. During the discussion, various offices shared suggestions and best practices.
Mr. Michael Lagaya, QA Officer for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and former Data Protection Officer, discussed the employees’ roles in data collection, including their limitations. He also emphasized the need to streamline data collection to avoid redundancy and enhance efficiency.
iQAO at akOU activities are held monthly. The next M&C seminar is scheduled on 23 June 2025 and will focus on data entry.
Written by Richmond C. Racuya ♦ Edited by Primo G. Garcia and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Contributed by UPOU QA Office
#UPOpenUniversity
