PSU-LC UNDERGOES ONLINE INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
TO SECURE THE NICHE in academic and global competence and quality assurance, Pangasinan State University – Lingayen Campus (PSU-LC) submits itself anew to the first-ever online Institutional Accreditation (IA) – Level IV by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines Inc. (AACCUP) on January 31- February 4, 2022.
PSU- LC aspires for a Level IV Accreditation Status, the highest certification a State University and College (SUC) can achieve if it passes the quality assurance standards of AACCUP. Such recognition will be a big boost to the university in terms of SUC levelling, fund allocation, and in forging international linkages.
The team of accreditors, headed by Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin of Visayas State University, scrutinized the Lingayen Campus in nine areas, namely: governance and management (Area I); teaching, learning and evaluation (Area II); faculty and staff (Area III); research (Area IV); extension, consultancy, and linkages (area V); support to students (area VI); library (area VII); infrastructure and other learning resources (area VIII); and quality assurance culture (area IX).
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, PSU-LC marked a milestone in history by having consecutive weeks of virtual accreditation – a clear manifestation that the university fully embraced this noble endeavor.
Meanwhile, during the opening program last January 31 at Don Telesforo Bouquiren Convention Hall, PSU President Dr. Dexter R. Buted commended the members of the university workforce for their commitment in ensuring that the university attains quality and excellence in higher education despite the challenges posed by pandemic. He also stressed the challenges of the accreditation survey on strong governance, operational efficiency, and outstanding instruction.
Despite these challenges, the University president believed that PSU-LC is ready for the Institutional Accreditation, as it is willing to embrace opportunities to “step up the gameplay” and “advance the landscape”.
Likewise, Dr. Randy Joy M. Ventayen, PSU-LC Campus Executive Director, presented the key officials, campus IA Team and local counterparts of the nine areas, namely: Dr. Randy Joy M. Ventayen (Area I); Dr. Julio Cervantes (Area II); Dr. Erna Salazar (Area III); Dr. Jun S. Camara (Area IV); Mr. Jandy Cacapit (Area V); Mr. Francis Gerald Amansec (Area VI); Ms. Mary Ann C. Mangapot (Area VII); Dr. Robert G. Sison (Area VIII); Mr. Frienzky Macayana (Area IX).
He furthered emphasized that he is most proud of the virtual cinematic campus tour created by the IT students of PSU-LC, which can be viewed on the PSU-LC IA portal landing page, to experience the 360° panoramic views of the University.
A briefing was done on the first day of the event. Succeeding days includes the perusal of documents for various areas and interviews with the area counterparts and other stakeholders of the University.
During the exit conference and closing program held on February 4, Dr. Tulin expressed his impressions, good words and appreciation to the preparation of the University for the Institutional Accreditation despite the limitations brought about by the pandemic. He also mentioned that the recommendations of the accrediting team are ‘nutrients’ for the University to continue to grow.
PSU-LC continued to demonstrate that there is always room for improvement in the University’s administrative and academic operations.
On behalf of the PSU-LC community, Dr. Buted accepted the comments and recommendations and expressed the words of commitment as one PSU.
Moreover, Dr. Buted pointed out that subjecting the University to accreditation is not just for the sake of recognition but for sustainability and competency of operations and instruction.
Said week-long event was successfully driven under the leadership of Dr. Dexter R. Buted (University President), Dr. Marcelo C. Gutierrez Jr. (VP for Quality Assurance). Dr. Elbert M. Galas (VP for Adminisitration), Dr. Manolito Manuel (VP for Academic and Student Affairs), Dr. Maria Corazon B. Puzon (VP for Planning and Finance Management), Dr. Paulo V. Cenas (VP for Research, Extension, and Innovation), Dr. Billy Festijo (Director for Quality Assurance Office), and the assigned area team leaders of the PSU IA Technical Working Group.
The virtual Institutional Accreditation Team was composed of these esteemed accreditors: Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin (Team Leader), Dr. Maria Glenda O. De Lara, Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, and Dra. Anthony M. Penaso (Lead Accreditors), Dr. Arnita Sornito (Librarian). Dr. Milabel E. Ho served as the Team Coordinator and Mr. Dominic T. Martinez served as the IT Technical Support.
AACCUP is an accrediting agency which aims to “develop a mechanism of, and conduct the evaluation of programs and institutions.” Being commended by this agency will benefit the University by increasing its local and global opportunities and establishing a high-stake reputation.
