NBSC Participates in AACCUP Accreditors’ S.A.M.A.H.A.N. 2023
In a landmark event that brought together education professionals from around the world, the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) concluded its annual gathering, marking a significant milestone in shaping the future of quality assurance in education, the Accreditors’ S.A.M.A.H.A.N. 2023 (Sustaining quality Assurance: Mobilizing Accreditors for Hybrid Assessment in the now Normal)
Hosted in a vibrant Manila Metropolis at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City on November 21-23, 2023, the convention served as a platform for accrediting bodies, educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to engage in meaningful discussions, share best practices, and address the evolving challenges facing the global education landscape, especially in Quality Assurance.
The convention featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including renowned educators, accreditation experts, and policymakers. Keynote addresses and panel discussions provided insights into the future of education and the pivotal role accreditation plays in ensuring quality and accountability. Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, the Executive Director of the ASEAN University Network was one of the distinguished guests and keynote speakers on Day 1 who presented the current priorities of AUN and the presentation on the Root Cause of IQA Ineffectiveness & Evidence-Based Policy-Action Solutions. A Memorandum of Agreement between AUN and AACCUP was also done which signifies the partnership of AACCUP to global networks such as AUN. A session on Overview of the Accreditation Survey Visits of Programs and Institutions for 2022-23 was also presented by Dr. Gregorio Z. Gamboa, Jr. which emphasized the different scenarios of accreditations in the country and the relative experiences of the accreditors.
With the surge in online and hybrid learning, accrediting bodies delved into the challenges and opportunities associated with accrediting digital learning environments. Discussions revolved around establishing robust quality assurance mechanisms for online education to maintain academic integrity and uphold accreditation standards. Dr. Lilian A. De Las Llagas, CHED Commissioner (2017- 2021), gave a session on Quality Assurance: Making Waves in the Internationalization of Higher Education nstitutions followed by the President. Batangas State University PASUC President, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, gave a talk on Developing SMART Campuses to be Accreditation -Ready for the Now Normal. Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, the President of Mariano Marcos State University ended Day 1 with her session on Advancing 21st Century Leadership Skills for Quality Assurance in State Universities and Colleges.
Recognizing the increasingly interconnected nature of education, the convention emphasized the importance of global collaboration and internationalization in accrediting bodies. Participants discussed strategies to streamline the recognition of qualifications across borders, ensuring that students receive the recognition they deserve for their academic achievements, regardless of their geographical location. Engr. Angelica Cortero-Fraginal, Founder and Managing Director of ACF Consultancy and Training Services gave a comprehensive talk on Developing a Culture of Quality Assurance Internalization in State Colleges and Universities; Harmonizing with International Standards. It was supplemented by Dr. Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela, theEducation Advisor Future Education of ASEAN, ASCC R & D Platform in her session on Building a Framework for Accreditation Surveys of Accrediting bodies toward Policy Development, Research and Internationalization.
Another notable highlight was the emphasis on inclusivity and diversity through Gender and Development (GAD) integration in accreditation processes. Attendees engaged in discussions on how to ensure that accreditation standards and procedures are reflective of diverse educational models and inclusive of underrepresented populations. This focus aligned with the broader global commitment to equitable access to quality education for all. Dr. Bert J. Tuga, the President of Philippine Normal University gave a talk on the Inclusion of Gender and Development in Quality Assurance Accreditation Instruments in Higher Education.
The convention was wrapped up with the presentation of Challenges in Developing New Accreditation Survey Instruments for Assessment of Programs and Institutions in Higher Education with the Director Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance Commission on Higher Education, Dr. Raul F. Muyong. Building Accreditor Teams for QA Collaboration and Communication with Creativity and Critical Thinking was then facilitated by the AACCUP Board and SUC Presidents marking the end of Day 3.
As the AACCUP Annual Convention concluded, participants left with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to driving positive change in the field of education. The collaborative spirit and shared vision for the future of accreditation will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the development and improvement of education systems worldwide and in Northern Bukidnon State College. The convention served as a testament to the dedication of NBSC to maintaining and elevating the standards of education to meet the needs of a rapidly changing global society.
