Written by Lenilyn Malicdem (Administrative Assistant, QAO) and Dr. Kareen Leon (Director, QAO)
Photos courtesy of Lenilyn Malicdem
The University of Baguio (UB), through the Quality Assurance Office (QAO), continued its Professional Reinforcement for Innovation and Mentorship in Education (P.R.I.M.E.) initiative through a focused session on Program Chair (PC) Deliverables and ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Programme Assessment Preparations held on October 15, 2026, in the morning, at the Alumni AVR.
A total of 39 participants, composed of academic leaders and program chairs, took part in the session, which focused on strengthening academic leadership, clarifying institutional expectations, reviewing programme-level requirements, and preparing UB academic programs for continuing quality assurance initiatives.
The activity brought together Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan; Research, Innovation, Extension, Community Outreach and Sustainability (RIECOS) Director Dr. Donnavila Marie P. Herbster; School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS) Dean Dr. Charesma Grace K. Lud-ayen; Quality Assurance Office (QAO) Director Dr. Kareen B. Leon; Ms. Sheena Oraño, Secretary to the VPAA; Ms. Lenilyn P. Malicdem, QAO Administrative Assistant; and, the University’s program chairs (PCs). Dr. Herbster and Dr. Lud-ayen were the two UB participants who completed the AUN-QA Assessor Training Workshop for Programme Assessment (Tier 2) last June 4-6, 2026.
Using Research to Strengthen Academic Leadership
The session opened with the presentation of highlights from a research study conducted by Ms.Oraño, Dr. Herbster, and Dr. Lonogan on the performance of program chairs and assistant principals.
The research provided a basis for examining existing academic leadership practices and identifying areas that may require further policy and institutional support. Its findings guided the participants in reflecting on the responsibilities of program chairs and the importance of clear expectations, accountability, coordination, and continuous improvement in academic management.
The discussion reinforced the value of using institutional research not only to describe current practices but also to support evidence-based decisions and improvements in University policies and systems. Two of the outputs of the research were the revised version of the OVPAA PO 004 (001) Policy on Deliverable Requirements for Program Chairs and the three-year plan for PCs.
Aligning Program Deliverables with Institutional and External Quality Assurance Expectations
Dr. Lonogan led the discussion on Center of Excellence (COE) applications and the review of PC Deliverables, providing guidance on the requirements, expectations, and responsibilities of academic programs.
The discussion emphasized the role of PCs in ensuring that academic requirements are completed, properly documented, and aligned with institutional and regulatory expectations. Particular attention was given to the need for timely preparation, clear accountability, and coordination between PCs, deans, academic offices, and other concerned units.
By reviewing the deliverables as part of a broader quality assurance system, the session emphasized that academic documentation should not be viewed merely as a compliance requirement. Rather, the documents and supporting evidence should reflect how academic programs are being managed, monitored, evaluated, and continuously improved.
Moving Early Toward AUN-QA Programme Assessment
The final major discussion focused on UB’s preparations for the AUN-QA Programme Assessment.
Dr. Leon and Dr. Lud-ayen presented the University’s AUN-QA Programme Assessment timeline of completed and expected activities. They emphasized the importance of beginning preparations well ahead of the scheduled assessments. The roadmap provided academic programs with a clearer view of the activities, documentation, coordination, and evidence-building required as they move toward programme assessment.
Early preparation allows programs sufficient time to examine their expected learning outcomes, curriculum and assessment alignment, academic and support processes, stakeholder feedback, performance results, and available evidence. It also gives academic teams the opportunity to identify gaps and implement improvements before the actual assessment period.
The October 15, 2026 session builds on UB’s continuing capacity-building efforts under the P.R.I.M.E. initiative. Previous P.R.I.M.E. activities have focused on areas such as AUN-QA self-assessment report preparation, evidence validation, curriculum alignment, outcomes-based education, and institutional readiness for internationally recognized quality standards.
Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) Technical Panel evaluation highlights
Dr. Lud-ayen further presented the findings and recommendations of the ODeL Technical Panel visit last October 14, 2026.
The ODeL technical panel evaluation visit is a critical QA mechanism designed to assess UB’s readiness, infrastructure, and pedagogical capacity to deliver robust, accessible, and compliant remote education. This external panel validated that the curriculum, digital learning management systems, student support services, and faculty training align with established national standards and global best practices. Moving forward, the panel’s recommendations should not merely be treated as a compliance checklist, but as a strategic ODeL roadmap for continuous improvement. UB must immediately operationalize the feedback by creating a structured action plan with clear timelines and assigned responsibilities, directly addressing identified gaps to fortify its digital ecosystem, elevate the student learning experience, and secure formal accreditation.
Strengthening a Shared Culture of Quality
The participants were given the opportunity to raise questions and clarify concerns related to the topics discussed.
More than completing individual requirements, the session reinforced the shared responsibility of academic leaders in sustaining program quality. Effective quality assurance requires academic units to understand their roles, maintain reliable evidence, communicate across levels, address identified gaps, and translate assessment findings into concrete improvements.
Through P.R.I.M.E., UB continues to provide academic leaders with opportunities for mentoring, collaboration, professional reinforcement, and institutional alignment. The initiative reflects everyone’s continuing role in supporting the regular monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of UB’s educational programs and services.
The activity supports SDG 4: Quality Education by strengthening academic leadership, programme quality, and outcomes-based education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by building the professional capacity of academic leaders; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by promoting accountable and evidence-based academic governance; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration among academic leaders, assessors, schools, and institutional offices.
As UB moves forward with its quality assurance roadmap, P.R.I.M.E. continues to strengthen a common direction among its academic leaders: understand the standards, strengthen the evidence, address the gaps, and continuously improve the quality of education provided to UB students.
