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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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