BECAUSE of curriculum changes required by the K to 12 educational reform, the University’s architecture program has delayed plans to be recognized by an international accrediting body based in the United States.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, outgoing Architecture Dean John Joseph Fernandez said the college had decided to hold its application with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).
“Papalit-palit ‘yung document na ipapakita namin sa kanila (NAAB). After [the K to 12 transition], we’re going to modify again the curriculum, so parang stop and wait muna kami,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez also noted the college needed to fill up new accreditation instruments as required by NAAB during is initial visit in 2012, the same year Architecture applied for accreditation.
Established in 1940, NAAB is a private accrediting body that evaluates architecture programs based on student performance and program curriculum.
A pioneer in architecture education, the UST College of Architecture prioritizes international quality assurance mechanisms over local accrediting agencies like the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (Pacucoa) and the Commission on Higher Education (Ched).
Pacucoa granted the college Level I accreditation status for a three-year period starting 2013.
In 2000, Ched declared the program a Center of Excellence.
