Written by Lenilyn Malicdem, QAO Administrative Assistant
In a concerted effort to advance institutional excellence and align with regional quality standards, the University of Baguio (UB) participated in the ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Benchmarking Activity held on April 3, 2025, at Far Eastern University (FEU) in Manila. This face-to-face engagement brought together key UB and FEU academic leaders and administrators to engage in a strategic dialogue on strengthening quality assurance practices in higher education institutions across the region. This is also in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG) Number 4: Quality Education and Number 17: Partnership for the Goal.
The activity was spearheaded for UB by Dr. Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) and overall coordinator of the initiative. Anchored in the AUN-QA framework, the benchmarking session was designed to assess institutional quality assurance mechanisms, learn from FEU’s exemplary practices, and identify actionable strategies to promote continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Representing a wide range of academic and administrative sectors, UB’s delegation included respected leaders from various offices: Dr. Kareen B. Leon, Director of the Quality Assurance Office (QAO), brought her expertise in institutional accreditation and compliance; Dr. Charesma Grace K. Lud-Ayen, Dean of the School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (SCJPS) was assigned to look into academic program design and curriculum assessment; Dr. Medardo F. Abarientos, Director of the Admission and Records Center (ARC) for provided key perspectives on student admissions and records management; Dr. Donnavila Marie B. Panday, Director of Research, Innovation, Extension, and Community Outreach (RIECO) had to take down notes on research excellence and community engagement as well as to do a post-activity report on the endeavor; Engr. Julia A. Flores, Director of the Risk Management Office (RMO), who needed to focus on institutional safety and risk governance; Mr. Jonald S. Aglosolos, Director of the Accounting Office (ACC), who checked financial management and operational efficiency; Ms. Melanie R. Saro, Director of the Linkages Office (LNK), in order to contribute valuable insights on industry partnerships and external relations; Ms. Leny O. Estacio, Director of the Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD), in order to address student welfare and support services; and Dr. Antonio D. Mangaliag, Principal of the University of Baguio Science High School (UBSHS), for pre-university and secondary education programs.
For FEU, Dr. Evangeline Bautista, the Vice President for Academic Development discussed AUN-QA in general; Dr. Percival Paras, the Academic Quality Assurance Director tackled the FEU AUN-QA Journey; and Dr. Aisa P. Arlos, the Dean of FEU’s Institute of Education tour the UB team to key FEU facilities. Through guided discussions, peer interactions, and sharing sessions with FEU counterparts, the UB team was able to benchmark practices and identify both strengths and opportunities for enhancement in their respective units.
The benchmarking activity also highlighted the importance of aligning institutional processes with strategic goals and regional quality benchmarks. It reaffirmed the role of internal stakeholders in fostering a sustainable culture of quality, accountability, and innovation. Among the major insights were the need for improved digital infrastructure, more comprehensive student support mechanisms, enhanced research collaboration, and greater visibility of alumni engagement programs.
The day concluded with a reflective evaluation, where participants shared individual takeaways and proposed actionable recommendations for their respective offices. Dr. Lonogan, emphasized that the AUN-QA benchmarking activity was “not merely an academic visit, but a meaningful journey toward institutional transformation—fueled by collaboration, shared vision, and a collective commitment to quality assurance.”
Looking ahead, the UB delegation plans to integrate these insights into ongoing policy reviews, enhance inter-office collaboration, and initiate targeted improvement projects aligned with the AUN-QA framework.
