THE UNIVERSITY is set to undergo quality assessment at the institutional level by assessors under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
A team from the Asean University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) will hold meetings with University officials, faculty, students and support staff next week, according to a memorandum from Secretary General Fr. Jesus Jay Miranda, O.P. dated Sept. 18.
According to the AUN-QA website, assessment comprises four criteria categories: Strategic QA, Systematic QA, Functional QA and Results. These categories are further divided into 25 criteria and 111 sub-criteria and assessed based on a 7-point scale. A score of at least 4 out of 7 must be attained to earn the AUN quality stamp.
“[UST] is already set for its Institutional Assesment under the AUN-QA. This has been discussed and highlighted in previous general assemblies of administrative and academic officials, such as the Management Review Meeting and Self-Assesment Report (SAR) Presentation meeting,” the secretary general’s memorandum stated.
The AUN-QA Network seeks to raise the quality of higher education in Asean and collaborate with regional and international bodies.
In 2016, the University became an associate member of the network, along with University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila and De La Salle University.
Twelve academic programs in the University have been assessed based on an outcomes-based framework, and received the coveted AUN-QA seal in 2017 and 2018.
According to the AUN-QA website, a university must have AUN-QA membership or associate membership and have at least three cohorts of graduates from the same program at the time of application to qualify for assessment.
The applying university submits its SAR to the AUN secretariat, and a progress report on the recommendations 9-12 months after assessment.
