PJM attends QA International Conference in Malaysia
Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. attended the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) International Conference 2025 held at Universiti Malaya (UM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from November 5–6.
Joined by the Chief for International Accreditation Eric Halabaso, Dr. Manzano represented MMSU alongside other university leaders and quality assurance implementers from across ASEAN in an event that aimed to establish a networking platform for quality assurance practitioners worldwide, as it also promotes knowledge and experience sharing to enhance institutional resilience.
With the theme “Fortifying Higher Education: Strategic QA for Resilience and Institutional Immunity in ASEAN,” the two-day international conference was designed as an engaging and hands-on forum. It explored the concept of “institutional immunity,” highlighting robust Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) systems as the first line of defense and External Quality Assurance (EQA) as the second. Both are essential in ensuring the long-term sustainability and responsiveness of higher education institutions.
Expert international speakers examined historical and emerging vulnerabilities in higher education and outlined strategic imperatives to build institutional foundations. Discussions emphasized embedding resilience into the culture of institutions, making sure that reforms and innovations become enduring capacities woven within the organization.
Meanwhile, plenary and breakout sessions provided participants with practical “immunity boosts” through targeted topics such as qualifications excellence, micro-credentials, digitalized QA systems, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Participants also gained actionable tools like the AUN-QA IQA Management Toolkit to strengthen internal QA frameworks.
Dr. Manzano pointed out the significance of MMSU’s participation in the event, saying that MMSU’s engagement with the AUN-QA community supports the university’s vision. According to him, this involvement will also advance MMSU’s regional presence, collaboration, and network.
“By aligning with regional standards and best practices, we ensure that our goal of becoming a premier university in Southeast Asia by 2033 is anchored on quality, and global relevance,” the President said.
The AUN-QA initiative, established in 1998 under the leadership of its first Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Vanchai Sirichana, continues to promote the development of quality assurance networks among higher education institutions in the region while fostering excellence not just for individual universities, but for the entire ASEAN community. (𝘔𝘔𝘝)
Engr. Eric Halabaso
Nov, 12, 2025 10:21:am
Written By:
STRATCOM
