UPD QAO benchmarks QA and KM best practices with top Thai universities
  • Written by: Erick Prynze I. Sazon and Charles Jason C. Ramos
  • Photo credits to: Assoc. Prof. Ivy C. Suan, Michael I. Baguisa, Arlyh F. Hirao, and Beau A. Estepa.

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SDG 4 - Quality Education
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

The UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO), together with the UPD Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), conducted a benchmarking visit to two of Thailand’s top universities—Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University—on July 23–24, 2025. The visit was an opportunity to learn from their best practices in quality assurance, knowledge management, and institutional development. It also served as a venue to discuss ideal organizational structures for quality assurance in higher education, challenges and solutions in internal and external quality assurance, and approaches to effective knowledge management.

Visit to Chulalongkorn University

On July 23, the UPD delegation which was led by QAO Director Aura C. Matias was welcomed at the President’s Office Building by Assistant Professor Tewarit Sarachana, M.T., Ph.D., the Assistant to the President for International Affairs and Global Networking and QA leader aligned with the Education Criteria for Performance Excellence (EdPEx). Also present to receive the delegation was Assistant Professor Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, D.D.S., Ph.D., the Assistant to the President for Academic Support Systems, Learning Innovation, Program Quality Assurance, and Professional Standards.

Group photo of the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office and Quality Assurance Committee with the administrators and staff of Chulalongkorn University after the benchmarking meeting

The meeting was also attended by Mrs. Jintana Hattakosol, Director of the Chief Transformation and Strategic Office, Dr. Jutamart Chotipanich, Director of Organizational Assessment and System Development, and Mr. Wiboon Khongdee, Chief of the Organizational Assessment Group.

Dr. Sarachana shared Chulalongkorn University’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, along with its current organizational structure that enables QA. He also presented the university’s Quality Management Policy, Framework, and System and elaborated on both internal quality management processes and the external quality assessment (EQA) mechanisms adopted by the university.

Dr. Supachai, on the other hand, shared Chulalongkorn’s approach to integrating Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) into the curricula. He emphasized how many academic staff are already applying OBE principles in their teaching methodologies—often without realizing it. He also described the CUCQA-100 system, developed for programs that are not currently covered by a local or international accrediting body. This system also serves as a preparatory tool for AUN-QA certification and is aligned with the eight criteria of the AUN-QA Self-Assessment Report (SAR).

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(L–R) Assistant Professor Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, D.D.S., Ph.D.; UPD QAO Director Aura C. Matias; and Assistant Professor Tewarit Sarachana, M.T., Ph.D., during the exchange of tokens.

Tokens of goodwill were exchanged between the two institutions, followed by a group photo to commemorate the visit. This was followed by a guided tour of key campus facilities, specifically the Central Library, Student Wellness Center, and Health Service Center which are essential hubs that support the academic welfare and health and well-being needs of students and staff.

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The UP Diliman delegation with Chulalongkorn University staff during the guided campus tour
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The UP Diliman Quality Assurance Committee at the Central Library of Chulalongkorn University

Visit to Mahidol University

The UPD delegation visited Mahidol University on the next day, where they were warmly received by Associate Professor Sompop Prathanturarug, Ph.D., the Vice President for Strategic Planning, Quality Development, and Social Engagement, and Dr. Lertyot Treeratanapiboon, the Assistant to the President for Quality Development. They were joined by Mrs. Harutai Thiangtam, the Director of the Division of Quality Development.

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Group photo of the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office and Quality Assurance Committee with the administrators and staff of Mahidol University after the benchmarking meeting

Before the formal program began, officials and staff from Mahidol University and the UPD delegation paid respect to the monument of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol, a tradition that honors the university’s namesake and legacy.

Mahidol Group Photo
The UP Diliman delegation with Mahidol University administrators at the monument of His Royal Highness Prince Mahidol, following the traditional flower offering ceremony

The visit began with a video presentation highlighting Mahidol University’s academic offerings, institutional strengths, and campus facilities. This was followed by a comprehensive presentation by Vice President Prathanturarug on the university’s Internal and External Quality Assurance system, including its adoption of the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) framework for degree program curricula.

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(L-R) UPD QAO Director Aura C. Matias, Dr. Sompop Prathanturarug, and Dr. Lertyot Treeratanapiboon discuss QA processes during the benchmarking meeting

He also introduced “Prep4AUN-QA” which is the University’s in-house preparatory program designed to support academic units aspiring for ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) certification. Additionally, he shared their structured two-day internal EQA process, conducted by faculty members trained in program assessment.

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UPD QAO Director Aura C. Matias received the token of appreciation from Dr. Sompop Prathanturarug

The session also concluded with an exchange of tokens of appreciation and a group photo to commemorate the visit, followed by a rolling campus tour via tram. The tour showcased the colleges inside the Salaya campus of Mahidol University.

Mahidol Tram Photo
A tram awaits the UP Diliman delegation before the start of the rolling campus tour at Mahidol University’s Salaya campus
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Benchmarking Photos for
Chulalongkorn and Mahidol University

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