The UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO) commemorated the institutionalization of the UP Quality Policy through the Quality Assurance Month, with a series of events held throughout April and May 2025 carrying the theme Pagpapatuloy—a Filipino word meaning “continuation.” The theme symbolizes the UPD QAO’s sustained efforts in developing programs that contribute to the accomplishment of the QA agenda of UP, enhancing its services, and its commitment to supporting the continuous improvement of all units in the University.
Distribution of the UP Quality Policy signages
The celebration officially began with the distribution of UP Quality Policy signages by UPD QAO staff to all of the administrative offices and academic units in the University last April 14, 2025. This initiative aimed to help raise awareness about the policy and reinforce each unit’s commitment to the University’s quality management system. The posting of these signages support the initiative of UPD to pursue ISO 21001:2018 (EOMS) certification by ensuring that the Quality Policy is effectively communicated to all of the University’s stakeholders.
UPD QAO staff visited various administrative and academic units to personally hand over the UP Quality Policy signage
To culminate the celebration of the QA Month, the annual Kahusayan: Seremonya ng Pagkilala ng Kagalingan sa QA was held on May 23, 2025 at the Gimenez Gallery, to recognize the offices and individuals who stand as champions of quality in the University for their active participation and leadership in quality assurance projects and initiatives of the University.
During her opening message, UP Diliman Vice Chancellor for Administration Adeline A. Pacia extended her appreciation to everyone who takes part in the various activities organized by the UPD QAO to mainstream the culture of quality in UP. She underscored that “quality assurance is not a one-time milestone but a sustained undertaking,” highlighting its perpetual importance within the University, and encouraged faculty and staff to remain committed to delivering the highest quality of service to the University’s stakeholders.
UP Los Baños Quality Assurance Office (UPLB QAO) Director Myra G. Borines served as the keynote speaker of the event and shared the journey, milestones, and key achievements of the UPLB QAO as the first quality assurance office established within the UP System. These include the institutional recognition of UPLB by the European Union Support to Higher Education in the ASEAN Region (EU SHARE), the completion of external assessment and accreditation for all of its undergraduate programs, and the 100% submission rate of the Internal Academic Assessment and Development System (iAADS) Report for two consecutive cycles. These efforts signify UPLB’s steadfast commitment to the QA System of the University.
Be that as it may, Director Borines emphasized that quality is an ongoing journey requiring sustained effort and desire for continuous improvement. She encouraged attendees to remain patient and persistent, especially when facing resistance to quality assurance initiatives. She also urged the UPD QAO to continue educating and orienting faculty and staff to further strengthen the university’s quality culture.
Academic units, administrative offices, and faculty members were given recognition for their accomplishment of internal and external quality assurance activities, steadfast support for the programs, activities, and projects of the UPD QAO, and completion of quality assurance training. For a list of the awardees, please click this link.
L-R (1st Row) Ms. Elvira B, Lapuz (University Librarian), Assoc. Prof. Perlita M. Frago-Marasigan (QA Officer, CSSP), L-R (2nd Row) Prof. Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla (IB-CS), and Asst. Prof. Purisima P. Panlilio (UPDEPPO) shared a short testimonial of their QA journeys
A special citation was then given to Dr. Alyssa M. Peleo-Alampay, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (Quality Assurance) for her years of work building the quality management system of the University and the institutional support that she has enabled to establish the QA units in each Constituent University. As she received the recognition, AVP Peleo-Alampay highlighted the prioritization of quality assurance in the strategic plan set by UP President Angelo A. Jimenez and expressed immense pride in seeing the work being done by the Constituent Universities to establish their own QA units and actively embark on their quality assurance journeys. Grateful for the recognition from the UPD QAO, she shared her hope that as she passes the torch of quality assurance to the faculty and staff—whom she calls the University’s quality champions—the principles of quality assurance will become firmly embedded in the University’s daily operations.
In closing, UPD QAO Director Aura C. Matias reminisced on how the office has commemorated QA in UPD—from a few online sessions to an extensive week-long lineup of face-to-face activities to a month-long celebration—and how each iteration has cemented UPD QAO’s consistent presence and the significance of QA in the University. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the individuals who continue to dedicate their time and resources to support the office’s initiatives.
She explained that this year’s theme, Pagpapatuloy, reflects the idea that quality assurance is a continuous journey—one that evolves alongside policy shifts and leadership transitions. Director Matias also announced that Kahusayan: Seremonya ng Pagkilala ng Kagalingan sa QA will become a regular feature of the UPD QAO anniversary celebration. More than a closing activity for QA Month, this ceremony recognizes individuals, offices, and units that have exemplified excellence in quality assurance.
Looking ahead, she shared plans for upcoming initiatives, including QA Clinics, Self-Assessment Report (SAR) preparation workshops, external assessment and accreditation activities, and preparations for ISO 21001:2018 certification. She concluded her message by reaffirming UPD QAO’s commitment to engaging the community and seeking meaningful feedback to advance a sustainable quality management system for the University.
Banking on the successful 100% iAADS submission of UP Diliman for the 2024 cycle, the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO) brought together 59 academic unit heads and QA Officers from 37 degree-granting units (DGUs) in the recently held QA Clinic at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) last June 23, 2025.
Throughout April and May 2025, the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office led a series of workshops, forums, and dialogues for staff, project leaders, and students with the objective of empowering the UP community to strengthen QA practices across academic and administrative processes.
The symposium brought together UP administrators, QA officers, and support staff to reflect on the University’s contributions to the SDGs and explore ways to further align academic and research efforts with the UN 2030 Agenda.
The UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO) marked the institutionalization of the UP Quality Policy last April with a month-long celebration themed Pagpapatuloy, emphasizing the University’s sustained dedication to excellence and continuous improvement.
To strengthen the engagement of various quality assurance stakeholders in the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), the UPD Quality Assurance Office held a two-day QA General Assembly last March 3 and March 10, 2025 at the Bulwagang Tandang Sora, College of Social Work and Community Development, participated by 248 members of the UPD community across the 87 academic and administrative units.
To reinforce the foundational knowledge gained from the series of onsite training for the Phase 1 of the ISO 21001:2018 EOMS Certification Project, the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO) successfully conducted multiple sessions of Process Mapping and Risk Management Coaching from November 2024 to February 2025.
