The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) participated in the 3rd UP External QA Reviewers Training, organized by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA). The training, held from 25 to 29 November 2024 at ibis Styles Manila Araneta City and UP Diliman, aimed to enhance the expertise of UP faculty members in conducting external quality assurance (EQA) reviews for academic programs.
The following faculty members represented UPOU:
- Asst. Prof. Blancaflor Arada (Faculty Member, Faculty of Information and Communication Studies)
- Asst. Prof. Lloyd Lyndel Simporios (Faculty Member, Faculty of Management and Development Studies)
- Asst. Prof. Tricia Ascan (Faculty Member, Faculty of Management and Development Studies)
- Assoc. Prof. Finaflor Taylan (Faculty Member, Faculty of Management and Development Studies)
The training, modeled after the Assessor Training Workshop for AUN-QA Program Assessment (Tier 2 Training), provided participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills related to QA processes. It aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to conduct quality assurance reviews, including desktop reviews, site visits, and feedback preparation.
Reflecting on the training, Asst. Prof. Simporios noted the importance of incorporating feedback from stakeholders to keep academic programs relevant: “… [G]athering and integrating feedback from both internal and external stakeholders… ensures that academic programs remain relevant to industry needs and societal expectations.” He also highlighted the introduction of the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, which promotes a “systematic approach to quality improvement” that encourages programs “to continually refine their processes based on measurable feedback.”
Assoc. Prof. Taylan shared her reflection on the training and its relevance to the programs she handles. She emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders and aligning program goals with the institution: “… [E]ngagement with our stakeholders is a vital component of program and institution management. … Our programs are not in silo and should also be in sync with that of the institution.” She added that “… [P]rogram assessment should be a continuous and regular activity of the unit and should be seen as a milestone, rather than a scary endeavor.”
With the completion of this training, the UPOU participants are now qualified to serve as external reviewers in EQA assessments. This capability extends not only to UPOU’s degree programs but also to those of other constituent universities within the UP System.
Through its participation, UPOU underscores its commitment to academic excellence and quality assurance, aligning with its mission to uphold the highest standards in open and distance learning. The trained faculty members are expected to significantly contribute to the ongoing quality enhancement initiatives within the UP System, particularly in refining programs to meet global standards
Written by Maelyn Pisueña ♦ Edited by Myra Almodiel and Anna Cañas-Llamas ♦ Contributed by UPOU Quality Assurance Office
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