UCU undergoes PACUCOA orientation; accreditors evaluate CBMA, CTE programs

Urdaneta City University invited the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) for an orientation visit on March 18, 2024 with the primary objective of enhancing the quality of education through continuous improvement and advancement of its course programs.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Amihan April C. Mella-Alcazar, the Acting University President, emphasized the importance of inviting PACUCOA as the accrediting body of UCU to ensure quality assurance. She expressed her optimism for a prosperous future, extending beyond the institution's established 57-year legacy.

“I hope that we will understand the context within why we have invited PACUCOA as the accrediting body that we would like to subject ourselves for the quality assurance, in the hope that we can develop further, and have many more fruitful years ahead of us, not just 57 years, but hopefully way beyond what we have already established in the past,” said Dr. Alcazar. 

Seven delegates from PACUCOA conducted the orientation visit: Dr. Dulce Marie Solis and Dr. Alex Ylagan led evaluations in the areas of Faculty, Instruction, and Laboratory, while Dr. Edilberto Manahan focused on Research assessment; Dr. Ellen Salac scrutinized the administrative aspects, Dr. Vanessa Paula Garcia evaluated Student Services and Extension activities, and Ms. Maribel Estepa examined the Library facilities; Engr. Flordeliza Villaseñor assessed the Physical Plant and Facilities, ensuring a comprehensive inspection.

The College of Teacher Education (CTE), and the College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA), headed by their respective college Deans, Dr. Ryan Jayson V. Delos Reyes and Dr. Pelilia C. Veloso were the first colleges to undertake an initial evaluation of their different programs based on PACUCOA standards and requirements. 

The PACUCOA Accreditation consists of eight phases: (1) Orientation on Accreditation (2) Self-Survey Activities (3) The Preliminary Visit for Candidate Status (4) The Formal Visit for Level One Status (5) The Re-accreditation Visit for Level Two Status (6) The Level Three Phase (7) The Level Four Phase and (8) The Institutional Accreditation Phase. 

Remarked as an ‘extraordinary invitation’ being that UCU is a local university, the PACUCOA accreditors were hopeful to be of great help for the academic community’s goal, and looked forward to going hand in hand with the University in this endeavor.