UP Diliman (UPD) Leaders pose for a group photo with Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan and the INSPIRE-UPD Resource Speakers
For its third installment, the Institutional Strategic Program for Innovation, Research, and Education (INSPIRE) by the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO) returns to UPD after a successful rollout in UP Manila as the leadership team gathered to know more about the UP System’s direction and gain insights on how they will align their respective units’ strategies to the new strategic plan. INSPIRE-UPD kicked off with a preparatory session via Zoom on September 22, 2023, where UPD Chancellor Atty. Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II provided insights into the proposed UP System’s strategic themes. He also shared his vision and plans for UPD during his term. Subsequently, a two-day face-to-face workshop was held a week after, September 28-29, 2023, at the Eastwood Richmonde Hotel.
Chancellor Vistan addresses participants at the INSPIRE-UPD Preparatory Session via Zoom )left) Screenshot
showing UPD Vice Chancellors and heads of administrative offices in attendance. (right)
In his presentation titled ‘UPD in 3’, Chancellor Vistan delved into the proposed vision statement, priority initiatives, and strategic themes of the UP System. He shared that public service will be the cornerstone of UP President Angelo A. Jimenez’s administration, where partnerships between UP units and other SUCs and government agencies are encouraged to boost knowledge co-creation. Chancellor Vistan also shared his vision for UPD: to transform it into ‘a dynamic university that leads in sustainable community and nation building through education and research’. Mindful of his limited term, he outlined three pivotal areas that would ensure the realization of this vision within three years: firstly, ‘fixing our house’; secondly, pursuing sustainability with greater vigor, consciousness, and consistency; and thirdly, promoting UPD as a cultural haven.
Following Chancellor Vistan’s session, a lecture on the Strategic Planning Process and Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Goals (SOAR) analysis was delivered by Assistant Professor Benette P. Custodio from the UP College of Engineering (COE). Participants were then tasked to work on their first workshop activity to be presented face-to-face the following week.
INSPIRE-UPD Resource Speakers: Asst. Prof. Custodio, VP Resurreccion, AVP Javier, and Director Beconado
The Eastwood Richmonde Hotel hosted the continuation of INSPIRE-UPD on September 28-29, 2023 that started with a lecture by Dr. Augustus C. Resurreccion, Vice President for Administration, about the significance of implementing a Strategic Governance System (SGS). Modeled after the Balanced Scorecard, the SGS is designed for higher education institutions and provides valuable insights for INSPIRE’s strategic alignment initiative. Later in the day, Director Antonio M. Becoñado Jr. from the Diliman Budget Office (DBO) supported the SGS with a session on guidelines and tips on preparing the Annual Budgets and Annual Procurement Plans.
Representatives from the Vice Chancellor offices presented their workshop outputs in between sessions wherein they demonstrated application of the insights from the lectures. INSPIRE-UPD resource speakers served as reactors and provided suggestions, enhancing the analysis and plans of each group. Each Vice Chancellor office presented their overall vision, mission, and goals (VMG), as well as the degree to which these are aligned with the VMG of the top leadership.
For the second round of presentations, the Vice Chancellors chose representatives from their respective groups to present their interpretation of the Strategic Governance plan. The participating offices included the Bulwagan ng Dangal, General Education (GE) Center, University Food Service (UFS), Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO), Supply and Property Management Office (SPMO), University Health Service (UHS), and the Office of the Campus Architect (OCA). Recurring points from the group presentations are on the importance of proper resource allocation and management, alternative means of addressing manpower shortages (e.g. student internships, utilization of OVCSA’s graduate student assistantship programs), and the timely implementation of quality assurance initiatives to improve internal processes.
Group representatives presenting their Strategic Governance Plan output for their units
In her closing remarks, UPD QAO Director Aura Matias shared invaluable insights on various metrics of performance excellence that must inform the finalization of the strategic plans. These metrics included adherence to pertinent regulatory and statutory requirements, the Performance-based Bonus and Outcome Measures, and data specifications set forth by diverse university ranking organizations. Director Matias emphatically reminded all participants that the pursuit of quality is a collective responsibility. To preserve and enhance UP’s honor and excellence, it is imperative for all units to collaborate, devising strategies that strengthen the institution’s performance across these metrics. She also expressed the QAO’s anticipation for the forthcoming years when the participants would apply the knowledge gained from the INSPIRE program while submitting their official strategic plans.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions One of the missions of UP Diliman is to provide transformative education across
SDG 15: Life on Land One of the missions of UP Diliman is to provide transformative education across a wide
SDG 14: Life Below Water One of the missions of UP Diliman is to provide transformative education across a wide
SDG 13: Climate Action One of the missions of UP Diliman is to provide transformative education across a wide range
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production One of the missions of UP Diliman is to provide transformative education across a
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities One of the missions of UP Diliman is to provide transformative education across a
