CSSP, NCPAG degree programs complete External Quality Review
November 3, 2026
Another graduate program of the UP Population Institute (UPPI) successfully underwent the external quality review process on October 19-22, 2026, marking the completion of the first round of external quality assurance (EQA) of both graduate programs of the Institute. The Master in Population Studies (M PopStud) program engaged external quality reviewers from UP Diliman and foreign higher education institutions. Under the UP QA System, the visit is categorized as EQA Type D, and was partly funded through the Visiting Professor Program of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA).
University and College administrators, External Quality Reviewers, and representatives of the Master in Population Studies program posed for a group photo during the opening session of the 6th External Quality Review Visit.
From left to right: Associate Professor Apryl Mae C. Parcon, Graduate Program Coordinator; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Mary Ann G. Bacolod; Professor Emeritus Irene Villaseñor; Associate Professor Chalermpol Chamchan; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon; UP Population Institute Director Maria Paz Marquez; and Associate Professor Jake Rom D. Cadag, Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Office of the Associate Dean for Research, Extension, and Publications.
The review was led by Professor Emeritus Irene Villaseñor from the UP Diliman Institute of Chemistry, with Associate Professor Chalermpol Chamchan of Mahidol University and Professor Philippe Bocquier of the Centre de recherches en démographie (Centre DEMO) at the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium. Dr. Bocquier, designated as the disciplinal expert, participated virtually.
In her message during the opening session, UP Diliman Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Vanessa P. Lusung-Oyzon emphasized the value of external perspectives in examining the academic programs beyond the University’s own institutional experiences. She noted that insights from EQA activities allow academic units to expand their horizon for possible areas for improvement and validate best practices.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon formally welcomed the external quality review of the Master in Population Studies program.
The SAR Team and stakeholders of the M PopStud program, including academic staff, support staff, students, alumni, and employers, participated in closed door interviews with the external quality reviewers. The discussions enabled the reviewers to verify the evidence presented in the self-assessment report, assess the accomplishment of the program learning outcomes, and examine significant academic and administrative processes that contribute to the delivery of the degree program and overall welfare of stakeholders. The interviews also provided an opportunity for the participants to share insights into graduates’ career trajectories and the relevance of the program to their professional development.
The external quality reviewers then went around program-level facilities to view the spaces where students, academic staff, and support staff engage in learning, research, and recreational activities. The tour is a venue for the reviewers to assess the quality, adequacy, and effectiveness of the physical spaces, equipment, and other learning resources available to students.
On the second day of the site visit, the External Quality Assurance Team of the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD QAO) led a rolling tour of University-level facilities where the reviewers became familiar with the variety of student spaces in campus, the dormitories, the University Health Service, theaters, sports facilities, and the Office of the University Registrar. This was followed by an interview with university-level support staff where the reviewers asked questions about the use and maintenance of facilities, processes and procedures involved in their management and operation, employee satisfaction, and support staff experience in the campus.
The review visit concluded on October 22, 2026 with a closing session where the external quality reviewers shared their preliminary findings. Professor Emeritus Villaseñor and Associate Professor Chamchan highlighted the program’s strengths based on the submitted Self-Accomplishment Report and observations from the review visit and also elaborated on areas for improvement.
Professor Emeritus Irene Villaseñor and Associate Professor Chalermpol Chamchan presented the preliminary findings and key observations from the external quality review during the closing session.
UPD QAO Director Evangeline C. Amor, in her closing message, underscored the importance of integrating the review findings into the program’s plans and operations by identifying priorities, determining appropriate actions, and monitoring its progress. Associate Professor Chamchan also expressed his appreciation to UPPI for its commitment to undertaking the external quality review, recognizing the Institute’s willingness to have its degree program examined by faculty members from other higher education institutions that operate within a similar disciplinal context.
UPD QAO Director Evangeline Amor delivered the closing message, marking the conclusion of the 6th External Quality Review Visit at UP Diliman.
Once the final external quality review report of the M PopStud program has been referred to UPPI, post-EQA activities will focus on drawing up and implementing plans to address the reviewers’ findings and recommendations to fully support the program’s continuous quality improvement efforts.
For guidance on the conduct of EQA activities, please contact the UPD QAO External Quality Assurance Team via email at eqa_qao.upd@up.edu.ph.
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