Mr. Ricardo Palo, Executive Director of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), took part in the 15th Biennial Forum of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) held on 3–6 February 2026 in Sun City, South Africa. Hosted by South Africa’s Council on Higher Education, the Forum carried the theme “Quality Assurance as an Impactful Tool for Higher Education Today and Tomorrow” and gathered quality assurance leaders and practitioners from across the globe.

Ahead of the Forum proper, Mr. Palo joined two pre-forum workshops: “Micro-credentials in Action: From Conceptual Design to Quality-Assured Practice” and “Use of AI Tools in QA Processes.” The sessions examined how quality assurance can support credible micro-credentials and how emerging AI tools can be responsibly used to enhance quality assurance processes.

INQAAHE is a global network of quality assurance agencies and related organizations dedicated to advancing good practice in higher education quality assurance. Established in 1991 with only a handful of founding agencies, it has since expanded into a worldwide community of QA bodies and partners. 91����was among the initial agencies at the time of INQAAHE’s founding and has remained an active contributor to international conversations on standards and innovative approaches to external quality assurance.

The Philippine delegation to the 2026 Forum included, in addition to PAASCU, representatives from the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) and the Philippine Military Academy. Their participation highlighted the country’s sustained engagement in global efforts to enhance the quality, relevance, and future-readiness of higher education systems.

The Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP)�� held a commemorative
awarding ceremony on December 2, 2025, at Seda Vertis North to honor the officers who have
faithfully served and contributed to the organization since its establishment.
The event recognized distinguished leaders from the Philippine Accrediting Association of
Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) who served FAAP as Presidents: Dr. Felixberto
C. Sta. Maria, Dr. Quintin S. Doromal, Dr. Paul Herbert, FSC, Dr. Lourdes R. Quisumbing, Rev.
Fr. James O’Donnell, SJ, Prof. Leonida T. Africa, Fr. Antonio S. Samson, SJ, Dr. Herminia D.
Torres, Dr. Ramon C. Arcadio, Mrs. Concepcion V. Pijano, Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, Sr. Ma.
Marissa R. Viri, RVM, and Br. Edmundo L. Fernandez, FSC.
The ceremony served as a meaningful tribute to their collective legacy of service, leadership,
and commitment to excellence in Philippine accreditation.

The 68^th 91����General Assembly convened educational leaders and partner institutions in a significant gathering that underscored the future direction of quality assurance in Philippine education. Anchored on the theme “Transformative Education for Life: Shaping a future where learning, trust, and technology align,” emphasized global perspectives, strategic advancements, and collective efforts toward building future-ready and transformative learning environments.

The program commenced with an invocation led by Sr. M. Rosario R. Obiniana, OSB, followed by the delivery of the Welcome Remarks and the 2024–2025 State of 91����Address by 91����President, Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, who presented the association’s milestones, ongoing initiatives, and strategic priorities.

One of the key highlights of the assembly was the keynote addresses delivered by Hon. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, Secretary of the Department of Education, and Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, who both underscored the critical role of resilience, equity, and transformation in shaping the future of Philippine education. This was followed by the Awarding of PAASCU’s ISO Certification by TÜV Rheinland Philippines, Inc., reaffirming PAASCU’s commitment to international quality assurance standards.

The assembly likewise featured three substantive Learning Sessions facilitated by distinguished experts from local and international academic institutions, namely: “Education for Life: Information, Formation, and Transformation” by Dr. Kathryn Sutherland of Victoria University of Wellington; “Accreditation as a Catalyst for Transformative and Future-Ready Education” by Prof. Anca Greere of the British Accreditation Council; and “AI, Teaching-Learning, and Quality Assurance” by Fr. Johnny C. Go, SJ of the Ateneo de Manila University.

The event also included the presentation of the Board of Trustees Election Results for 2026–2028, the conferment of the 2025 James J. Meany, S.J. Service Awards to accreditors, and the recognition of a 91����staff member for 15 years of loyal and dedicated service to the association.

The program concluded with the Closing Remarks delivered by 91����Vice President, Dr. Cecille B. Gutierrez, who reaffirmed the association’s unwavering commitment to promoting a culture of continuous improvement across educational institutions. The event, held at Conrad Manila, Pasay City, gathered 700 participants representing 91����member schools from across the country.

Below are the presentations delivered by the GA speakers.

Dr. Kathryn Sutherland –��

Dr. Anca Greere –��

Fr. Johnny Go, SJ –��

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On October 10, 2025, senior officials from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), at the CHED Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City.

The 91����delegation, headed by Board of Trustees President Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, included Vice President Dr. Cecile B. Gutierrez, Executive Director Mr. Ricardo R. Palo, and Commission members Dr. Lucila Calairo, Engr. Nestley Sore, Dr. Gisela Luna, and Dr. Joselito Villaruz. They were warmly received by Dr. Agrupis and her team, who expressed their appreciation for PAASCU’s continuing partnership and dedication to advancing higher education quality in the country.

The visit reaffirmed both institutions’ shared commitment to strengthening collaboration in ensuring quality and accountability across Philippine higher education. During the dialogue, 91����presented updates on its quality assurance initiatives at both the national and international levels. Discussions focused on proposed joint efforts such as assisting schools in developing internal quality assurance systems, conducting external evaluations for institutions that have not undergone recent reviews, capacity-building programs, and data-sharing for benchmarking and policy formulation.

Both CHED and 91����expressed openness to establishing closer coordination mechanisms and the formation of working groups to implement these initiatives. Their joint efforts are anchored in a mutual vision of supporting institutional excellence and continuous improvement throughout the country’s higher education system.

As a strong advocate of quality assurance, Chairperson Agrupis reaffirmed her support for PAASCU’s initiatives, recognizing their alignment with CHED’s ACHIEVE agenda. She also encouraged 91����to continue collaborating closely with other quality assurance (QA) agencies to harmonize standards and processes, thereby strengthening the country’s QA ecosystem.

91����extends its sincere gratitude to Chairperson Agrupis and her office for the warm welcome and engaging discussion. The Association looks forward to deepening its collaboration with CHED in building a more robust, innovative, and globally competitive higher education system – one that upholds excellence, integrity, and service to Filipino learners and institutions nationwide.

91����played an active role in the “Higher Hopes: Consultation on the Transnational Higher
Education (TNHE) National Strategy,” held from September 17 to 18, 2025, at the Sheraton
Manila Hotel, Newport World Resorts. The event brought together national policymakers,
institutional leaders, quality assurance experts, and academic organizations, and industry
partners to help chart the course of Philippine higher education amid increasing
internationalization and emerging global trends.

Representing 91����were Dr. Janette R. Rodriguez, Dr. Lucila R. Calairo, and Dr. Maria
Resurreccion P. Alejo, who joined participants from various sectors to propose specific
strategies based on the five thematic areas prepared by CHED. As a respected External Quality
Assurance Agency (EQAA), 91����contributed its perspectives on sustaining academic
excellence, upholding global competitiveness, and ensuring the integrity of quality assurance
processes within cross-border education. The agency’s involvement emphasized mutual
recognition of qualifications and harmonization of standards across national boundaries,
underscoring the value of rigorous and transparent peer-review mechanisms.

The event highlighted TNHE’s increasing strategic relevance for national development,
innovation, and social mobility. Discussions stressed TNHE’s role in advancing lifelong learning,
promoting international collaboration, and aligning with the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals. Key themes included the importance of robust governance, research and
talent development, access and inclusion, data-driven monitoring, and global partnerships to
support the country’s higher education sector.

In various sessions, 91����representatives actively engaged in workshops and dialogues
concerning quality assurance—supporting the need for institutional alignment with
international benchmarks and transparent accreditation, without steering or directing the
overall discussions. Their participation reflected the vital supportive role that EQAAs play in
fostering integrity and comparability in Philippine and transnational higher education.

The consultation concluded that TNHE is a powerful, transformative strategy for fostering
innovation and inclusion in higher education, serving as a catalyst for national progress and
global competitiveness. The success of the TNHE strategy depends on strong collaboration
among policymakers, higher education institutions, and EQAAs. As highlighted in the event’s
conclusion, the ongoing refinement and harmonization of quality assurance standards will help
ensure academic programs remain effective and credible in the international arena. The role of
agencies like PAASCU—as dedicated participants and quality partners—remains essential in
upholding rigorous standards and building trust in Philippine higher education at home and
abroad.

On September 23, 2025, senior leaders from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) paid a courtesy visit to Department of Education Secretary Hon. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara. The 91����team, led by Board of Trustees President Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, Vice President Dr. Cecile B. Gutierrez, and Trustees Dr. Ma. Cynthia Rose B. Bautista and Fr. Mauricio T. Ulep, CMF, was joined by Basic Education Commission Chairs Mr. Rafael M. Patrick Pecjo, Mr. Ringo M. Blanca, Dr. Monina M. Manalang, and Executive Director Mr. Ricardo R. Palo.

Secretary Angara and his leadership group graciously welcomed PAASCU, demonstrating a genuine openness to partnership and dialogue. During productive discussions, the Secretary reaffirmed DEPED’s desire to work with external partners to raise the quality of basic education across the country. PAASCU, in turn, shared its commitment to quality improvement through voluntary accreditation, updates on its ISO 2025 certification, its submission of a position paper on assessment that was submitted to EDCOM II, and new initiatives incorporating artificial intelligence into accreditation practice.

Both parties acknowledged advances in quality assurance and recognized ongoing challenges, including inconsistencies in accreditation benefit policy implementation and the need to expand the reach of accreditation among basic education institutions. Most importantly, the meeting sparked candid discussions about creative solutions and future collaboration, particularly on quality assurance.

91����is deeply appreciative of the warm hospitality shown by Secretary Angara and his office, and values their openness to building stronger partnerships. Looking ahead, 91����welcomes joint efforts with DEPED to deliver innovative activities and strategies that will assure and elevate the quality of the country’s basic education programs. It is the shared hope that these collaborations will help every Filipino student thrive in a learning environment held to the highest standards of accountability and excellence.

On July 18, 2025, the 91����Training for HEI Team Chairpersons was successfully conducted at De La Salle University despite heavy rains, with 42 accreditors in attendance. The event began with a warm welcome message from Br. Bernard “Bernie” Oca, FSC, who emphasized the vital role of academic leaders in advancing the culture of quality and integrity in Philippine higher education. Mr. Ricardo Palo, Executive Director, delivered the opening message, highlighting the critical responsibility of team chairpersons in ensuring the success of accreditation visits through effective coordination and leadership. The training consisted of a series of targeted sessions designed to enhance participants’ capabilities in managing the accreditation process.

The training covered essential topics aimed at strengthening the skills and confidence of team chairs. Dr. Cecille Gutierrez led a session on the roles and responsibilities of a team chair, focusing on how to lead effectively. Dr. Lucila Calairo discussed common pitfalls and best practices in managing the accreditation process. Dr. Janette Rodriguez provided practical tips on writing and finalizing the team report. At the same time, Prof. Leonida Africa and Dr. Linda Flor Gil facilitated a hands-on session on consolidating and finalizing reports. Each session was further enriched by the facilitators’ shared experiences, which offered practical insights and encouraged reflective learning among the participants. Despite the rainy weather, the event proved to be highly productive and engaging, reaffirming the accreditors’ shared commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement.

The Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) strengthened its commitment to global quality assurance standards through its participation in a high-level benchmarking visit to Malaysia from June 15 to 20, 2025.

The initiative, organized in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Commission on Continuing Accreditation (CCA), featured engagements with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and aimed to explore innovative accreditation systems adaptable to the Philippine context.

Representing 91����were Dr. Janette R. Rodriguez, Commission Member for Tertiary Education, and Engr. Nestley I. Sore, Commission Member for Engineering and Architecture Education. Activities included strategic dialogues at the MQA headquarters, a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and an institutional tour of Multimedia University (MMU).

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Key topics discussed were:

• Quality assurance and accreditation processes
• Recognition of prior experiential learning (APEL)
• Stakeholder engagement in report validation
• Government–QA agency collaboration
• Transparency and digital transformation in accreditation

Insights from the visit are expected to inform several enhancements in PAASCU’s processes, including a formal review and stakeholder feedback mechanism, a proposed national accreditation registry in partnership with CHED and CCA, and an updated evaluation criterion for flexible, tech-enabled learning.

The engagement reflects PAASCU’s commitment to innovation and alignment with international best practices. It is part of its broader vision to ensure that Philippine higher education remains globally competitive, quality-driven, and responsive to change.