Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Pubmat Care of Publication section
Four academic programs of the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) successfully passed the 521st ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Programme Assessment: the Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Doctor of Medicine. The assessment was held from June 2–4, 2026.
The assessment forms part of UP Manila’s continuing efforts to strengthen academic quality, promote continuous improvement, and align its programs with internationally recognized quality assurance standards. The programs were evaluated under the AUN-QA Programme Level Version 4.0 Framework, which covers eight areas: expected learning outcomes; program structure and content; teaching and learning approach; student assessment; academic staff; student support services; facilities and infrastructure; and output and outcomes.
International Peer Assessment
The four programs were evaluated by assessors from universities across ASEAN. The BS Pharmaceutical Sciences program was assessed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Herman Parung of Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana, Indonesia, and Mrs. Siriluck Kiewkong of Mahidol University, Thailand. The BS Pharmacy assessors were Prof. Dr. Rohaida Mohd. Saat of Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, and Dr. Le Thi Giao Chi of the University of Danang, Vietnam.
The BS Biology program was assessed by Assoc. Prof. Le Quang Minh of Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Normah Maan of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The Doctor of Medicine program was evaluated by Dr. Tan Chin Hon of the National University of Singapore and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aphichart Rodchanarowan of Kasetsart University.
Strengths and Recommendations
The assessment team commended the programs for their outcomes-based curricula, qualified and dedicated academic staff, strong research culture, experiential learning opportunities, stakeholder participation in curriculum development, student support systems, and graduate competencies.
During the closing ceremony on June 4, 2026, the assessors emphasized the quality of UP Manila’s students and faculty. Chief Assessor Dr. Tan Chin Hon said, “It is very clear to us that you have good staff who are able to educate these students and that they are going to make an impact on society.” He added that the programs were producing graduates whose quality was also recognized by employers.
The assessment also identified areas for further development, including strengthening outcome-based education, improving systems for measuring and analyzing program outcomes, expanding stakeholder engagement, updating curricula and learning resources, and conducting more comprehensive benchmarking with international institutions. The assessors also encouraged greater international mobility and collaboration.
For Chief Assessor Tan, these recommendations are part of the broader purpose of quality assurance. “Academic excellence and seeking improvement is a never-ending journey,” he said.
Front and center of this massive institutional undertaking was a coordinated effort by the university’s academic leadership led by CM Dean Charlotte Chiong, CAS Dean Ma. Teresa G. De Guzman, and CP Dean Mac Ardy Gloria, whose guidance anchored the preparatory work within their respective disciplines. This college-level dedication was matched by the strategic direction of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bernadette Heizel Reyes and the steering leadership of the Quality Assurance Office Director Bhabita Murjani, who managed the complex task of aligning institutional operations with rigorous international benchmarks.
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