Mariano Marcos
State University

CHED funds MMSU-led QA research with 3 partner HEIs

By Wimbledon Bosque 
 

To examine and strengthen quality assurance (QA) systems among Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved and funded a research project led by Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in collaboration with Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Visayas State University (VSU), and the University of the East (UE) through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on March 5.
 

Proposed by MMSU, the project titled “Scoping Study on Quality Assurance Systems of Philippine Higher Education Institutions” will be implemented across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through the participating universities to form a nationwide effort to strengthen QA systems in Philippine HEIs.
 

Under the agreement, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr., WMSU President Ma. Carla Ochotorena, VSU President Prose Ivy Yepes, and UE President and Chief Academic Officer Zosimo Battad formalized the partnership to implement the CHED-approved initiative.
 

“We believe that the only way to compete both nationally and globally is through ensuring excellence in quality assurance, as this serves as the backbone of our institutional capability,” Dr. Manzano said.
 

MMSU, with Dr. Lawrence Eclarin as program leader and Dr. Marlowe Aquino as project leader, will spearhead the study, while the partner institutions will serve as collaborators and regional project leaders. WMSU will conduct the study in its assigned region under the supervision of project leader Dr. Sarah Taupan. VSU will lead the research in its respective region through project leader Dr. Joel Rey Acob, while UE will oversee the implementation in its designated areas led by Dr. Michelle Concepcion.  
 

Dr. Eclarin said the partnership is a shared commitment to uphold excellence and accountability among Philippine HEIs. “This is both a strategic imperative and a public responsibility,” she said, adding that “at the heart of this endeavor is collaboration,” with all participating institutions working together to strengthen quality assurance systems in higher education.   
 

As the lead institution, MMSU will provide the necessary funds, equipment, and supplies required for the project based on the CHED-approved line-item budget. 
 

Committed to sharing institutional practices related to quality assurance, the partner HEIs assured their proactive participation in the project to examine existing QA mechanisms, review QA frameworks and practices, identify gaps in implementation, and provide recommendations to strengthen QA systems of HEIs nationwide.