In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Rector Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD said that UST, with this recognition, “we can only be inspired and grateful as well.” The Rector also said that the UST must “not just…maintain quality and excellence but to elevate these to a higher level. We owe it to all our stakeholders, most especially our students.” The Rector acknowledged the hard work of the community, who together “have done very well during the period covering 2019 to 2023.” Fr. Ang, who laid out his six-point agenda for the next four years in his installation, expressed hope that the achievement will “encourage everyone to continue contributing to the fulfillment of our mission as a Catholic educational institution.”

Meanwhile, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH stressed the importance of quality assurance practices in UST’s continued pursuit of excellence: “We need to focus our efforts on strengthening our quality assurance mechanisms at the institutional, unit, and program levels as we improve our existing programs and develop new and innovative programs and services.” Peralta assured the community of UST’s continued efforts to “realign our approaches and redesign our academic programs so they effectively respond to the needs of society and prepare our graduates for the future of work.”

Autonomous institutions are exempted from CHED’s regular monitoring and evaluation and are prioritized in the grant of subsidies and other financial incentives or assistance. New programs may also be offered by the given PHEI, which is also authorized to “determine and prescribe their curricular programs to achieve global competence.” Autonomous institutions, meanwhile, are expected to help in quality assurance development and mentoring programs for non-Autonomous and non-Deregulated PHEIs to help increase the number of recognized institutions.

CHED assessed UST and other private higher education institutions using the instrument laid out in CHED Memorandum Order No. 6, Series of 2023. The criteria look into “Commitment to Program Excellence” (30 points), “Excellence in Instruction, Scholarly Works, and Community Engagements” (40 points), and “Institutional Quality and Excellence” (30 points). Institutions with scores of 80 and above are granted Autonomous Status, which has been conferred to 77 private higher education institutions this cycle.

Among the evidence required of universities are evidence of program accreditation/assessment from international and local agencies, such as ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUNQA) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and the Centers of Excellence and Development awarded by CHED itself. To date, UST has 18 bachelor’s programs certified by AUNQA, 13 Centers of Excellence, and 13 Centers of Development. UST programs also enjoy accreditation from local agencies like the Philippine Accrediting Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) and the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU).

Programs with above-national-passing-rate performance in licensure exams, average graduation rate, and percentage of employed graduates were also assessed for the period, along with the presence of academic staff with doctoral degrees and/or industry experience. The engagement of academic staff in research was also assessed through patents, indexed publications, and creative works, along with their recognitions received from local and international agencies. A university’s partnerships with communities and other institutions were also assessed, including mobility and quality assurance engagements.

Institutional recognitions by both local and institutional bodies, such as AUNQA and ISO, also help in determining the status given to an institution, while recognitions from international rankings bodies like Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) were also counted. During the period of 2019-2023, UST earned its Institutional Certification from AUNQA, becoming the second Philippine university to enjoy the recognition. Meanwhile, it remains one of the top-ranked universities according to metrics used by THE and QS. UST, which has enjoyed ISO certification, is also transitioning to the ISO 21001:2018 certification soon, following successful certifications under 9001:2008 and 9001:2015.

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Apart from the two distinctions, UST was also recognized for having the most number of Level IV accredited programs in the country. Level IV is the highest rating a program can get. Programs enjoying this status “have been highly respected as very high academic programs in the Philippines and with prestige and authority comparable to similar programs in excellent foreign universities,” according to PACUCOA.

Meanwhile, four bachelor’s programs were also recognized for producing topnotchers in recent Professional Regulation Commission licensure exams, namely, BS Medical Technology, BS Accountancy, BS Nutrition and Dietetics, and BS Architecture.

UST also won an award for the community outreach/extension program contest. The College of Science bagged Second Prize for “CCHEERS to Laudato si: Care for our Common ������Ƶ through Environmental Expedition Integrating the role of Service-Learning.”

Thomasian professors were also recognized by PACUCOA. Graduate School academic staff Lucila O. Bance, PhD was named Outstanding Accreditor, while Dean Emeritus Carmen Kanapi, PhD received a Posthumous Award for Service. Service awards were also received by Graduate School academic staff Belen Tangco, PhD (Accrediting Team Chairman), as well as Faculty of Pharmacy officials Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD, Frieda Z. Hapan, PhD, and Edilberto P. Manahan, PhD.

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According to UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy Dean Patricia M. Empleo, PhD, the College’s “objective is to continue enhancing the quality of our academic programs, not necessarily for external accreditation or assessment, but more so for our stakeholders (learners and industry partners especially) who rely on us for the provision of the much-needed accounting professionals. We integrate the AUNQA framework and see it as an effective tool for continuous quality improvement.”

Meanwhile, College of Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD looked back at the five-year journey to re-certification that the College undertook: “The good news we just received from the AUN validates that the improvements we have instituted had addressed the majority, if not all, of the concerns and points for improvement that they had provided us after their first visit in 2017. This includes the revision of our curricula for the Biology, Chemistry, and Psychology programs and the increased research productivity of the departments concerned, as well as the transfer of our laboratories to the Central Laboratory Building. We will continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of our operations as we start planning for the AUN assessment of other programs such as Microbiology, Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics in the near future. I am extremely thankful for our hardworking and dynamic team of academic and support staff and students who have worked hard to ensure that we meet the standards set by the AUN.”

The three-day assessment led by AUN-QA Expert Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Kay Chuan coincided with an assessors’ training with attendees from five Southeast Asian countries. The re-certification maintains UST’s 18 bachelor’s programs on top of the Institutional Certification UST enjoys from AUN-QA.

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The assessment team was led by AUN-QA Training Expert and Chief Assessor Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Kay Chuan (Lead Assessor, BS Psychology). He was joined by Prof. Dr. Rohaida Mohammad Saat (Lead Assessor, BS Accountancy), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ornsiri Cheunsuang (Lead Assessor, BS Biology), Prof. Wan Ahmad Kamil Mahmood, PhD (Lead Assessor, BS Chemistry), Dr. Nguyen Thi Huyen (Assessor, BS Accountancy), Mr. Mean Udam (Assessor, BS Biology), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supitcha Cheevapruk (Assessor, BS Chemistry), and Asst. Prof. Dr. Luerat Anuratpanich (Assessor, BS Psychology).

In their respective messages, Rector fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH reaffirmed the University’s commitment to improving its provision of quality Catholic education by submitting to external review from international experts. The assessments, UST’s 7th so far, uses the updated version of the AUN-QA programme assessment tool. The visit included interviews with various stakeholders like students, academic staff, support staff, employers, and alumni, among others, and included site visits and document review.

Chief Assessor Tan, in his wrap-up presentation, invited the University officials to consider the VUCA world’s challenges and changes. He noted, among others, the increasing impact of artificial intelligence on pedagogy, which he said must keep up with latest technological trends. The assessors likewise cited the University’s various program strengths, including the functional internal quality assurance systems at the program, college, and university levels, and the positive feedback from different stakeholders. The assessors also presented points for improvement in preparation for a post-pandemic world.

The onsite assessment was held in conjunction with the 13th Assessor Training Workshop of AUN-QA, who provided the training to experts from Brunei Darusallam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

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The two-day onsite audit included meetings with Top Management, led by the University Rector, Very Rev. fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, the Office of Planning and Quality Management, led by Assistant to the Rector for Planning and Quality Management Clarita D. Carillo, PhD, and the various academic and administrative units who were included in the audit list. The audit yielded positive results, with only a few points for improvement and only one minor nonconformity that can be addressed within the next audit cycle.

In a memorandum dated April 26, 2023, Carillo thanked all units for participating in the audit and shared that based on comparative annual data from 2018, the number of findings have steadily decreased, indicating sustained quality of systems made even better through improvements implemented.

The audit, which primarily checked the extent of conformity of the University’s management system against the ISO 9001:2015 criteria and standards, also looked into compliance with various statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements as applicable to the various programs and services. 

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The Rector, Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. , Ph.D., who began his term in June 2020 at the height of the pandemic, acknowledged the tremendous changes that happened between that time and a year later, and reflected as such: “Now more than ever, as an academic community, we need the courage to face the challenges head-on. I entreat therefore our administrative officials to consider the seven-point agenda (of UST 2024 and Beyond) along with the nine SDAs as part of our roadmap to success. Each unit must find its place to contribute to the best of its ability in aligning with our University aims.”

The Rector affirmed the University’s efforts in hurdling and prevailing over challenges. “We need to synergize, and we need to strategize.” Going beyond the internal stakeholders, the Rector disclosed ongoing efforts to tap into external funding and philanthropic support, especially for expansion efforts in the forthcoming UST Sta. Rosa and UST General Santos campuses. The Rector likewise highlighted the crucial role of continued engagement with stakeholders to identify and address gaps in existent programs and efforts to achieve UST’s goals.

Sessions during the planning activity included revisiting the University mission-vision and its 9 strategic directional areas, with their corresponding key result areas and key performance indicators.

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In the accreditation report submitted by PACUCOA team chaired by Dr. Rosita L. Navarro in August 2020, the College reaped a 4.71 average score out of 5.00 in the General Criteria and 4.63 average score out of 5.00 in the Special Criteria.

In the General Criteria, the College received a perfect score in Criterion I Philosophy and Objectives and Criterion X Organization and Administration, and 4.90 score in Criterion II Faculty and Criterion VI Library. In other divisions, scores range from 4.79 to 4.25.

Meanwhile, in the Special Criteria, the College received 4.46 in Criterion I Reasonably High Standard of Instruction, 4.50 in Criterion II Highly Visible Community Outreach Program, 4.75 in Criterion III Creditable Performance of Graduates in the Licensure Examination, and 4.98 in Criterion IV Extensive and Functional Library and Other Learning Resource Facilities.

The College will enjoy its five-year 1st Re-accreditation until 2024. The BS Accountancy program joins nine other programs with Level III status, the penultimate rank in the PACUCOA accreditation.

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The TÜV-SÜD team was composed of Michael Nelson Soriano (Lead Auditor), Xavier Lance Dy, and Michelle Geli, who conducted the audit based on the following objectives: 1)  ensure that the management system implemented by UST conforms with the audit criteria; 2) evaluate compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements; and 3) evaluate effectiveness of the management system to meet specified objectives of the client organization.

The audit process included a review of the University’s quality management practices, validated by the conduct of interviews and panel discussions with officials and quality management representatives, as well as the review of pertinent documents as evidence of delivered services and established systems. 

This year’s auditees included the top management, led by the Rector, the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD.; academic units, as represented by the Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Commerce and Business Administration, Graduate School, and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; and administrative units, such as the Office of Public Affairs, Human Resource Department, Health Service, and Office of the Internal Auditor. 

The Office of Planning and Quality Management oversees the internal audit processes of the University and facilitates initiatives for the annual external audit.

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Ramos informed the concerned academic officials, administrators, and Quality Management Representatives (QMRs) about the intended corrective actions for MiN to be submitted completely with responsible person/department, due date/timeline of implementation as required by their standard template within 5 business days prior to the decision on Certificate issue/renewal/maintenance.

The challenge given by Ramos is to continue to strengthen the monitoring of the quality objectives (Sub-clause 6.2) and the externally provided processes, products and services (Sub-clause 8.4) to be part of the Management Review (Sub-clause 9.3).

The Top Management Meeting was well-attended by Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., PhD, Rector, Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, Vice-Rector, Rev. Fr. Rolando M. Castro, O.P., SThL, Vice-Rector for Finance, Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs, Rev. Fr. Jesus M. Miranda, O.P., PhD, Secretary General, Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, PhD, Vice Rector for Research & Innovation, Atty. Jacqueline O. Lopez-Kaw, LI.M., HRD Director, Assoc. Prof. Ma. Socorro S. Guan Hing, RN, DNM, Student Affairs Director, Assoc. Prof. Joehanna K. Ngo, PIE, ASEAN Eng, Quality Management Office (QMO) Director, Engr. Charlie Marquez, PIE, OPD Director, Assoc. Prof. Giovanna F. Fontanilla, MA, Public Affairs Director, and Engr. Nestor R. Ong, PIE, ASEAN Eng, QMO Assistant Director. This only shows how strong the leadership and commitment (Sub-clause 5.1) of the University’s top level management when it comes to the effectiveness of the University’s QMS and in driving continual improvement and innovation and developing leadership in their managers.

The following academic units (14) and supports units (19) were audited College of Education, Education High School, Junior High School, Senior High School, College of Commerce and Business Administration, College of Fine Arts and Design, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Faculty of Engineering, College of Nursing, College of Science, Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Accountancy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Graduate School, Library, Human Resource Department, Facilities and Management Office (FMO), Health Services, Guidance and Counselling, Office of Community Development, Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Student Affairs, Office of the Registrar, Admission, Office for Alumni Relations, Research Cluster for Cultural, Educational and Social Issues (RCCESI), Research Cluster for Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS), Office of Faculty  Evaluation and Development, Santo Tomas e-Service Providers (STePS), Office of Public Affairs, Purchasing, Educational Technology, and Quality Management Office (QMO). All other academic units and supports units were on standby mode for any possible trailing.

The Quality Management Office, the office which assumes a leadership role in professionalizing the quality management operations of the University, presented evidence on the follow-up/actions taken on previous audit findings, Management Review, Quality Policy, Quality Objectives, Scope and Processes of QMS, Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities, Customer Focus, Communication, Actions to Risks and Opportunities, Planning and Control of Changes, Organizational Knowledge, Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation, Control of Documented Information/Records Management, and Internal Audit, Nonconformity and Corrective Action for which the audit took eight hours within the two days.

The UST Quality Management System (QMS) has been ISO 9001 Certified since 2012. Presently, the certification is under the transition from ISO 9001:2008 standard to ISO 9001:2015 standard. The scope of audit covers design, development and provision of secondary and higher education. UST’s commitment to quality is evidenced in our achievement of the ISO 9001:2015 certification.

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