To maintain high academic standards and advance its goal of global competitiveness in aquatic sciences education, the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS), UP Visayas conducted a one-day re-orientation and workshop activity titled “Implementing Quality Assurance in the Academic Programs of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences: CFOS Faculty and Staff EQA Re-orientation” at the AV Hall, CFOS, UPV Miagao campus on October 5, 2026.
The undertaking was spearheaded by CFOS Dean Prof. Dr. Harold M. Monteclaro and CFOS Quality Assurance (QA) Officer Prof. Dr. Mae Grace G. Nillos under the Academic Program Improvement (API) activity in preparation for the AUN-QA Cycle 2 assessment of the BS Fisheries program and the upcoming Quality Assurance (QA) assessment of its graduate degree programs.
Specifically, the workshop aimed to update academic and administrative personnel on evolving assessment criteria, focusing on the UP System External Quality Review (EQR) framework and the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Program Level Assessment Process.
CFOS, the flagship college of UPV, made history in 2022 as the first unit in the University to undergo an AUN-QA assessment for its Bachelor of Science in Fisheries program. The program’s Cycle 2 on-site Assessment is set to take place on the first quarter of 2028.
“In order to achieve its vision of becoming a world-class university at the forefront of fisheries and aquatic sciences education, research, and development, UPV needs to develop high-quality academic programs that meet national and international Quality Assurance standards,” said Dean Monteclaro.
Prof. Philip Ian P. Padilla, MD., PhD., a certified AUN-QA assessor and member of the University QA Committee, served as the resource person.
In his presentation, “Internal and External Quality Assurance in Higher Education,” Dr. Padilla guided participants through updated QA protocols and detailed the core criteria for both AUN-QA and the UP System EQR processes.
Following the presentation, Dr. Padilla facilitated a workshop where participants collaborated in groups to identify operational gaps and formulate actionable solutions across key service areas, including teaching and learning facilities and services, transport and safety, laboratory facilities, health service unit and counselling, Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) and curriculum mapping, and general support services.
The initiative aligns directly with the mandate of UP President Angelo Jimenez, whose administration recognizes UP’s leadership role among Philippine higher education institutions and has prioritized quality management in its 10 Flagship Programs—specifically Flagship Program 9: Quality Management System and Quality Assurance.
Text and photos by Lenilyn B. Gallos
