AACCUP visits CSU

The Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc. visited the Caraga State University (CSU) for accreditation survey visit in some of its curricular programs in Butuan Campus last July 26-29, 2011. The AACCUP survey teams were headed by Dr. Emmanuel A. Lariosa as the Overall Coordinator/Consultant with Engr. Jonathan M. Tiongson, Director for Quality Assurance Management Services (QuAMS) as the CSU Coordinator.

Programs for first survey visit are the BS Biology, BS Environmental Science, and BS Geodetic Engineering while those for preliminary visit are BS Agriculture, BS Forestry, BS Computer Science, and BS Information Technology.

The survey team for BS Biology is composed of Dr. Reggie Y. dela Cruz of CMU as Team Leader with members - Dr. Tessie E. Lerios of USM, Dr. Emilia P. Pacoy of USEP, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa of DOSCST, Dr.  Asterio Olandria of DOSCST, and Prof. Ivanhoe S. Onate (Lib.) of MUST.

The survey team for BS Environmental Science is composed of Dr. Rodelyn M. Dalayap of SKSU as Team Leader with members – Engr. Virginia D. Suarez of MUST, Dr. Emilia P. Pacoy of USEP, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa of DOSCST, Dr.  Asterio Olandria of DOSCST, and Prof. Ivanhoe S. Onate (Lib.) of MUST.

The survey team for BS Geodetic Engineering is composed of Engr. Metodia M. Trinidad of MSU – IIT as Team Leader with members - Dr. Evelyn P. Deligero of USEP, Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa of DOSCST, Dr. Emilia P. Pacoy of USEP, Dr.  Asterio Olandria of DOSCST, and Prof. Ivanhoe S. Onate (Lib.) of MUST.

The lead accreditor for BS Agriculture, and BS Forestry was Dr. Jupiter V. Casas of CMU while for BS Computer Science, and BS Information Technology was Prof. Alberto C. Arellano of USM.

The accreditation survey visit started with the courtesy call of the AACCUP survey teams to the Office of the University President, Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca last July 26, 2011 at 8 o’clock in the morning. This was followed by an Opening Program at the Sanchez Gymnasium.

Highlights of the Opening Program included the Welcome Remarks of the University President which was followed with the Introduction of the Overall Coordinator of the AACCUP Survey Team by the Director of QuAMS. It was the Overall Coordinator, Dr. Lariosa who introduced the Team Leaders and members of the different survey teams. He then gave an Orientation of the Accreditation Process, and Schedule of Activities. Closing Remarks was given by Dr. Luisito I. Tabada, Vice President for Academic Affairs. The said program was attended by the members of the Board of Regents, Faculty members, University Officials, students of the University, and other stakeholders.

Then, a meeting was conducted between the accreditors and their local task force counterparts for leveling off of expectations as to activities and schedule. Thereafter, the accreditors proceeded to the respective college accreditation centers where programs under survey are hosted for gathering of information, interviews, and observation.

Field visit to extension sites was conducted in the morning of July 27, 2011 with Dr. Joy M. Sorrosa as lead accreditor while the rest of the accreditors conducted the panel interview with key administration officials, and with the students.

The exit conference was conducted on July 28, 2011 at 3:30 in the afternoon. It was at this junction that acrreditors presented their findings as to the strengths, areas needing improvement, and recommendations to the program administrators, university officials, students in the programs under survey, and other stakeholders.

The survey culminated with the Closing Program following immediately after the exit conference with highlights which included the Overall Impressions of the Programs Under Survey by Dr. Emmanuel A. Lariosa, Overall Coordinator/Consultant which was responded with Words of Commitment from the University President, Dr. Joanna B. Cuenca.The results of the programs in the First Survey Visit will be released in about three month’s time. The BS Agriculture, and BS Forestry qualified for First Survey Visit after one year while the BS Computer Science, and BS Information Technology qualified for First Survey Visit in six month’s time.

Accreditation is viewed as a process by which an institution at the tertiary level evaluates its educational activities, in whole or in part, and seeks an independent judgment to confirm that it substantially achieves its objectives, and is generally equal in quality to comparable institutions. Currently, accreditation in state colleges and universities is by program.

Written by: Engr. Jonathan M. Tiongson, QuAMS Director.