Witnessing Quality Assurance in Action: The 13th Assessor Training Workshop for AUN-QA Programme Assessment at University of Santo Tomas

by Chanya Chinsukserm, AUN Programme Officer

University of Santo Tomas (UST), known for its illustrious reputation and historic significance, hosted the 13^th Assessor Training Workshop for AUN-QA Programme Assessment, providing a unique opportunity for participants to observe the AUN-QA Programme Assessment process in action. This exciting event unfolded over seven days, from 28 April to 4 May 2023, in the Philippines.

University of Santo Tomas, a prestigious Catholic university founded in 1611, was the gracious host of the 13^th Assessor Training Workshop for AUN-QA Programme Assessment and simultaneously underwent the 326^th AUN-QA Programme Assessment for its own programmes. UST opened its doors to the workshop participants, allowing them to witness the meticulous process of AUN-QA Programme Assessment.

The Assessor Training Workshop for AUN-QA Programme Assessment is meticulously crafted to provide participants with an interactive and immersive learning experience. Through this training, participants have the opportunity to observe actual onsite AUN-QA Programme Assessment, interact with experienced AUN-QA assessors, and receive coaching from AUN-QA trainers. This time, the 13^th Assessor Training Workshop was able to draw in 35 participants from five different countries.

By the end of the workshop, participants had gained proficiency in various areas, including demonstrating competences for programme assessment, acquiring knowledge of quality assurance in ASEAN country institutions of higher learning, conducting desktop assessments, formulating interview questions, and applying the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach. Additionally, they learned how to conduct site assessments, which encompassed stakeholder meetings and interviews, facilities visits, document reviews, preliminary presentation session, and more.

During the 326^th AUN-QA Programme Assessment, participants had the opportunity to witness the assessment process and capture their hands-on experiences on the assessment of four programmes at UST:

1. Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
2. Bachelor of Science in Biology
3. Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
4. Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Concluding the event on 4 May 2023, certificates were awarded to acknowledge their remarkable dedication during the training workshop. By fully engaging participants in the assessment process, this event empowered them the ability to actively contribute to the improvement of educational standards in the ASEAN region. 

The AUN-QA Secretariat would like to extend its deep appreciation to UST for their immense generosity in hosting the workshop, enabling all participants to witness a live programme assessment, and for their continuous support and active role in the AUN-QA network.

About the University of Santo Tomas

The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines, is a Dominican institution of learning founded in 1611. With 22 degree-granting academic units and over 40,000 students enrolled, it became the first university in the country to secure a five-star rating from the international education network QS in 2021. UST is also the only higher education institution to have the highest number of accredited programmes by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA). In its 411-year history, UST has produced competent, committed, and compassionate graduates who became saints and martyrs, chief justices, award-winning writers, researchers, and national artists. UST will continue to provide more people with a quality Catholic education.

UST has emerged as a highly engaged and proactive member of the AUN-QA community. Since its induction as an AUN-QA Associate Member in 2015, UST has exhibited remarkable dedication and commitment. UST has successfully conducted 6 AUN-QA Programme Assessments, evaluating a total of 18 study programmes, and underwent the AUN-QA Institutional Assessment in 2019. Through these initiatives, UST has demonstrated its unwavering pursuit of excellence and its active role in advancing educational standards within the AUN-QA network.