The ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) recently accepted Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) as an associate member, a press release from CHMSU said.
In an acceptance letter released in July this year, CHMSU fulfilled all the requirements of an AUN-QA Associate Membership and was accepted as an associate member by the AUN-QA council on June 25, 2024.
“The goal of CHMSU’s membership in the AUN-QA is to benchmark its academic offerings and institutional procedures to global benchmarks,” said Director for Quality Management Yrika Marie Dusaran.
Dusaran added that with this membership, “we will be able to raise the standard of instruction, streamline internal procedures, and guarantee that our graduates are prepared for jobs in both domestic and international markets.”
“It also deepens our dedication to offering top-notch education, promote a culture of quality, and make continual improvement easier,” Dusaran said.
NEXT STEPS
“CHMSU through the Quality Management Office (QMO) will organize training sessions and workshops for faculty, administrators, and staff to understand AUN-QA’s standards and guidelines,” the director said.
Dusaran said this helps “ensure that everyone is aligned with the expectations and criteria set by AUN-QA.”
Because of this new membership, CHMSU is set to also review and update academic and administrative documentation to align with AUN-QA standards, she said.
“We must ensure that the curricula of different programs are designed or updated to meet AUN-QA criteria, focusing on learning outcomes, assessment methods, and continuous improvement,” she added.
The university will also conduct self-assessments at the program level using the AUN-QA assessment criteria to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
This is along with performing a comprehensive institutional assessment to ensure alignment with AUN-QA standards across all aspects of the university’s operations, said the QMO director.
Finally, promote the university’s commitment to quality assurance and AUN-QA membership to external stakeholders, including potential students, partners, and accrediting bodies.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Associate members, including CHMSU, shall appoint Chief Quality Officers (CQOs) for their universities and nominate suitable candidates to be trained and perform as AUN assessors.
Becoming an associate member opens opportunities for universities including learning about AUN-QA best practices and information relating to quality assurance.
This also means that CHMSU can access opportunities to be involved in AUN-QA programs and projects, and to develop joint initiatives with other partnering organizations.
Member institutions and organizations are also given opportunities to be assessed by the AUN-QA Network.
Associate members are also given the privilege and priority to attend AUN-QA training workshops and courses. They also get to network with fellow members through CQO meetings and conferences.*
