As the university gears up for a new academic year, it once again reinforces its dedication to quality assurance by holding PRIME-BRIDGE, this time with a focus on advancing internationalization and instructional quality.
Written by Lenilyn Malicdem (QAO Administrative Assistant) & Katrine Dumling (QAO, Staff)
Photos courtesy of Rene Pascua (Linkages Office, Staff)
The University of Baguio (UB) strengthened its commitment to internationalization, quality education, and continuous improvement through the Professional Reinforcement for Innovation and Mentorship in Education- Broadening Reach through Internationalization Development and Global Engagement (PRIME-BRIDGE), together with the Instructional Materials (IMs) Evaluation Meeting, held in the afternoon of August 14, 2026, at the Centennial Hall.
Organized through the collaborative efforts of the various offices and their teams, namely, that of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan, Linkages (LNK) Director Ms. Melanie R. Saro, and the Quality Assurance Office (QAO) Director Dr. Kareen B. Leon, the activity formed part of the University’s continuing PRIME as well as BRIDGE initiatives.
A total of 44 attendees composed of the Deans, Principals, Program Chairs (PCs), Assistant Principals (APs), Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) Director Ms. Leny Estacio, LNK Director Saro, QAO Director Leon, VPAA Lonogan and representatives from LNK and QAO actively participated in the activity, contributing their insights and expertise toward strengthening internationalization implementation, instructional material finalization, and institutional quality assurance. PRIME was designed to support institutional quality, innovation, mentoring, internationalization, and continuous improvement among academic leaders and implementers.
The PRIME-BRIDGE session featured LNK Director Rulla-Saro as speaker, who shared insights on internationalization development and global engagement. The session provided academic leaders and implementers with opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and competencies in advancing internationalization initiatives, meaningful international partnerships, international research collaboration, intercultural learning, and global engagement.
The activity supported the University’s preparation for Autonomous Status by strengthening evidence towards advancing internationalization, governance, stakeholder responsiveness, and outcomes-based quality assurance. It also contributed to the University’s alignment with the expectations of AppliedHE, Times Higher Education (THE), the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA, the Philippine Quality Award (PQA), ISO 21001:2025, and other relevant frameworks, particularly in designing, implementing, documenting, evaluating, and continuously improving internationalization initiatives and academic practices.
Complementing the internationalization session, the IMs Evaluation Meeting provided an avenue for the University to assess the finalization of IMs during the Short Term of Academic Year (AY) 2025–2026. The evaluation reviewed the extent of compliance with ISO 21001:2025 Clauses 8.2 and 8.5, CMO No. 46, s. 2012, and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) requirements, while validating whether the IMs were standardized, outcomes-based, evidence-ready, and responsive to learner and program needs.
The integrated activity further highlighted the importance of collaboration among academic leaders, PCs, APs, and faculty members in strengthening instructional resources and quality assurance practices. Participants reviewed output-based performance, identified workflow bottlenecks, documented lessons learned, and assessed how the IMs development process contributed to the University’s teaching-learning quality and continuous improvement efforts.
The activity likewise contributed to the University’s advancement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). It aligned particularly with SDG 4: Quality Education, through its focus on outcomes-based education, quality instructional materials, academic development, and continuous improvement; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, through its emphasis on institutional governance, quality assurance, compliance, documentation, and evidence-based practices; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through its promotion of international partnerships that continue to support the university in advancing internationalization within its best practices, research collaboration, and global engagement.
Through the combined PRIME-BRIDGE and IMs Evaluation activities, UB reinforced its efforts toward global engagement, quality assurance, academic excellence, and continuous institutional improvement. The initiative demonstrated the University’s continuing commitment to developing globally responsive academic leaders and strengthening educational practices that contributed to quality and sustainable education.
