A delegation of new AACCUP accreditors from Rizal Technological University (RTU) participated in the three-day Seminar-Workshop on OBQA: An Overview for New Accreditors, Internal Quality Assurance and Non-Academic Personnel held at the Century Park Hotel in Malate, Manila from July 9-11, 2025. The seminar, organized by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), aimed to provide participants with comprehensive training on Outcomes-Based Quality Assurance (OBQA) principles and practices in higher education accreditation.
The university was represented by key academic and administrative officials, including Assoc. Prof. Romelyn Callueng of College of Education (CEd); Dr. Liberty Gay Manalo, Mathematics Department Head, AO. Ma. Lourdes R. Austria, Director of Quality Assurance Office (QAO), Dr. Jayvie Guballo, also from QAO, and CBEA Research Coordinator, Dr. Jack Robert Sablan, Executive Assistant of the Office of the Vice President for Planning, Quality Assurance, and Strategic Initiatives (OVPPQASI), Dr. Agnes F. Montalbo, Cooperative Education Unit (CEU) Head at the Pasig branch, and Dr. Maria Teresa R. Beloy, Head of Student Records and Admissions Unit (SRAU)- Pasig, and Assoc. Prof. Corazon S. Aspuria, Director of OSAAS-Pasig.
The three-day event featured an intensive program covering various aspects of quality assurance in higher education. Day 1 focused on providing participants with an overview of AACCUP’s OBQA framework, including historical perspectives and the roles of Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) personnel in the accreditation process. Day 2 featured Hon. Shirley C. Agrupis, Chair of the Commission on Higher Education, as the keynote speaker, who addressed “The Materiality of Outcomes-based Quality Assurance in Higher Education.” The day also included specialized workshops where participants engaged in hands-on learning sessions covering topics such as defining IQA and administrative roles in QA and accreditation, compliance with mandatory recommendations, and program performance profiling. The final day emphasized the professional and ethical responsibilities of accreditors and IQA focal persons, with Dr. Boyet L. Batang, President of Isabela State University, serving as the featured speaker.
The knowledge and skills gained by the delegation will be instrumental in enhancing the university’s internal quality assurance processes and preparing for future accreditation activities. The seminar provided valuable insights into the latest developments in outcomes-based quality assurance, preparing RTU’s representatives to effectively contribute to the university’s accreditation goals and quality enhancement initiatives across both its main and Pasig campuses. This participation reflects RTU’s proactive approach to staying current with accreditation standards and best practices in higher education quality assurance, ensuring that the university continues to meet the evolving needs of its students and stakeholders.
