In an effort to empower the higher education institutions in the Davao Region, the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XI (CHED RO XI) hosted the RankEd Program: Empowering HEIs Through Quality Management Systems (Series 1 – Mind Conditioning towards Institutional and Program Accreditations, and International Recognitions). Held on 11 December 2023, at the Freedom Hall, Lyceum of the Philippines University-Davao (LPU Davao), the event showcased a strategic alignment with the Commission’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, focusing on capacity-building training for Higher Education Institutions (HEI) administrators and key personnel, partnerships with vital stakeholders, and the sustained promotion of quality and excellence in HEIs across the region.
Participating as a resource in this initiative was the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), chosen as the Davao Region’s champion for international rankings. CHED RO XI, recognizing the significance of international benchmarks, invited ADDU to share its journey towards global recognition, specifically in the prestigious QS World Rankings. Ms. Fatima Jennae B. Jereza, Assistant Director of the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Office, served as the resource speaker, sharing ADDU’s experience and shedding light on procedures, benefits, and considerations related to the QS World Rankings.
During the presentation, Ms. Jereza emphasized the need for a nuanced perspective on world rankings, positioning them as valuable tools for quality assurance and external validation. However, she also highlighted their limitations, particularly in considering identity-based efforts towards spiritual formation, the Jesuit mission integral to ADDU, and the institution’s numerous advocacies, including peacebuilding and empowering Mindanao as a region. While acknowledging both pros and cons, Ms. Jereza urged higher education institutions to approach rankings with a more discerning view, allowing them to extract meaningful insights tailored to each institution’s unique strengths and values.
The RankEd Program’s inaugural series was not limited to international rankings; it featured an array of speakers addressing various accrediting bodies and quality assurance measures. Engr. Angelica C. Fraginal, Managing Director of ACF Consultancy Services, explored the significance of ISO 21001:2018 as a valuable certificate for operations management and quality assurance. Dr. Ronnie V. Amorado, Senior Vice-President for Academic Affairs at the University of Mindanao, provided insights into Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA). Dr. Jo-Ann Y. Solomon, Planning and Quality Management Officer at the University of the Immaculate Conception shed light on the ASEAN University Network – Quality Assessment.
In essence, CHED RO XI’s RankEd Program urged its universities and colleges to steer the trajectory of higher education in the Davao Region towards a future marked by quality, excellence, and international recognition. By providing capacity-building training and promoting a nuanced understanding of global rankings, the Commission hopes to lay the groundwork for a more globally competitive perspective among HEIs for the years to come.
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