By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

Upholding its Quality Management System (QMS) standards, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is subjecting all its operating units to the third Internal Audit starting today, December 13. 

Spearheaded by the MMSU Quality Assurance Directorate, the annual activity aims to evaluate the implementation of University’s QMS according to the requirements of its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 certification. 

Led by Dr. Frederick F. Rodrigo, the MMSU’s internal audit team will assess the management, core, and support processes of the University’s Batac, Laoag, and Currimao campuses. 

In the virtual opening program, Dr. Rodrigo said auditing will be done through examining documents and records of MMSU colleges and units, interviewing process owners, and observing offices' processes. 

Internal audit is anchored on Clause 9.2 of ISO 9001:2015 standards which stipulates that “Internal audits must be conducted at planned intervals to the organization’s own requirements for its QMS and its effective implementation and maintenance including audit program, criteria, and selection of auditors.” 

“We do this [internal audit] annually as one way of renewing our commitment to comply with ISO standards, and for the benefit of MMSU stakeholders,” expressed Engr. Ami Ruth R. Cocson, university vice president for planning and development. 

University President Shirley C. Agrupis stressed, “Our QMS requires synergy, that is why all of us must have a share in fulfilling the university’s mandated services in instruction, research, and extension.” She also encouraged the MMSU constituents “to continuously work together to sustain our ISO certification” by resolving non-conformities to QMS and responding to opportunities for continual improvement. 

MMSU obtained the ISO 9001:2015 certification for its three campuses (Batac, Laoag, and Currimao) in 2019. (StratCom)