UPD QAO heads to Central Mindanao University, conducts AUN-QA Site Visit Orientation​

  • Written by: Charles Jason C. Ramos
  • Photo layout: Michelle S. Lagare
  • November 28, 2025

Dr. Maria Aura Teodora C. Matias, Director of the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office, was invited by the Office of Quality Assurance (OQA) of the Central Mindanao University to orient specific stakeholder groups about the conduct of assessment site visits, specifically in the format of the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA). The orientation workshop was conducted last October 28-30, 2025, and was attended by administrators at the university-, college-, and department-levels, faculty members, support staff, and the administrators and staff of the OQA. Director Matias is joined by Mr. Charles Ramos.

UPD QAO Director Aura Matias and Mr. Charles Ramos of the EQA Team join the administration, faculty members, and support staff of the Central Mindanao University for a photo opportunity during the opening program

In his opening speech, President Rolito G. Eballe thanked Director Matias for accepting the invitation of CMU as it prepares to submit the application for program assessment of its degree programs through AUN-QA. The impetus for program assessment is part of the dedication of CMU to quality assurance and the pursuit of academic excellence, in line with the university’s vision of becoming “a leading ASEAN university actively committed to the total development of people for a globally sustainable environment and a human society.”

The two-day orientation workshop started with a plenary presentation delivered by Director Matias about the AUN-QA framework, resource planning, assessment timeline and site visit itinerary, and the role of administrators at the university-, college-, and department-level. It was followed by a focus group discussion with the junior and senior faculty members who are teaching general education and major courses, also led by Director Matias. The first day was concluded with a workshop facilitated by Mr. Ramos, where support staff from the university library, clinic, financial services, registrar, and public information offices took turns asking each other some questions about human resources, competencies and performance monitoring, facilities and occupational safety and health, and career development.

UPD QAO Director Matias and Mr. Ramos pose for a photo with the CMU faculty members and SAR writers

UPD QAO Director Matias and Mr. Ramos join the support staff from university- and program-level facilities during the photo opportunity after the workshop

(L-R) Dr. Jose Valmorida (CMU Vice President for Academic Affairs), UPD QAO Director Aura Matias, Dr. Rolito Eballe (President, CMU), Mr. Charles Ramos (EQA Team, UPD QAO), Dr. Bienvenido Butanas (Director, CMU Office of Quality Assurance), and Dr. Erwin P. Ambasa (Assistant Director, Office of Quality Assurance)

On the second and last day of the workshop, Director Matias met with the administrators and staff of the student affairs services, counseling and guidance, student housing, and alumni and linkages to orient them about their role in providing support to the self-assessment report (SAR) teams and the Office of Quality Assurance in terms of data to be included in the SAR and preparations for the stakeholder interviews and university-level facility tour. The morning session ended with a consultation meeting of the SAR teams with Director Matias where they were provided information about the application documents, critical tables and evidences in the SAR, eligibility of stakeholder interviewees, the guidebook, and arrangements for the interview room. The meeting was also an opportunity for the SAR teams to raise some questions that they had in writing the SAR.

Administrators and staff in charge of student services and alumni and linkages join UPD QAO Director Matias and Mr. Ramos for a photo

UPD QAO Director Matias and Mr. Ramos pose for a photo with the CMU SAR writers after the consultation meeting

The penultimate session for the two-day orientation workshop was a brief orientation about the role of the Office of Quality Assurance in facilitating the pre-, during, and post-assessment activities. Mr. Ramos highlighted the importance of the OQA in enabling EQA activities like program assessment, drawing from the experiences of the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office in fully online, hybrid, and face-to-face assessment and accreditation site visits. Director Matias also emphasized how critical the OQA is in accomplishing the preparations for the site visit as well as its completion, given that it is the first AUN-QA program assessment in CMU.

UPD QAO Director Matias and Mr. Ramos pose for a photo with Dr. Valmorida (VP for Academic Affairs), Dr. Butanas (Director, Office of Quality Assurance), and Deans during the closing program

Dr. Jose S. Valmorida, CMU Vice President for Academic Affairs, gave a synthesis of the orientation workshop at the closing session on October 30, highlighting how the activities facilitated by Director Matias and Mr. Ramos deepened the understanding of administrators, faculty members, and support staff in the AUN-QA framework and itinerary of the assessment site visit. He acknowledged that “quality does not happen overnight, nor does it rest on the efforts of the few” and encouraged everyone in the university to retain open lines of communication and remain focused on the pursuit of excellence.

The CMU Office of Quality Assurance pose for a photo with UPD QAO Director Matias and Mr. Ramos

The UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office continues to share its experiences and best practices in site visits to other higher education institutions that are gearing up for their own program assessment and accreditation. For inquiries, please send an email to eqa_qao.upd@up.edu.ph.

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