To ensure the program’s compliance with the minimum requirements set by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), Benguet State University (BSU) submitted three graduate degree programs for evaluation by the CHED Technical Evaluator and Technical Committee Team on September 19, 2024 at the RDC Hall. The evaluation process was also intended to determine the programs’ eligibility for the issuance of Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) by CHED.

The CHED Evaluation Team was composed of Roselle Jardin, Jose Neil Hortillo, Ronald Pastrana, Lucita B. Mejia, Menzie O. Kuengan, and Godfrey Mendoza. The team assessed the Master in Public Administration (MPA) program offered by the College of Public Administration and Governance (CPAG) and the Master in Human Resource Management (MHRM) and Master in Cooperative Management (MCM) of the Open University (OU).

BSU President Felipe Salaing Comila and VP for Academic Affairs Samuel S. Poliden expressed their gratitude to the evaluation team for their expertise and support in improving the university’s graduate programs.

“The evaluators will help us realize our vision and mission for our university and to help us serve the community better. They will tell us what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. We will continue to sustain these programs and champion them,” said Comila.

Before the evaluation proper, Jardin gave an orientation of the activity and assured the team’s support for the University to meet their targets towards certifications.

Throughout the evaluation process, the team reviewed the program documents under the areas of board resolutions on the offering of the programs; accreditation status; program description, outcomes, goals, and objectives; profile of the dean and program coordinator; faculty profile; curriculum; Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) requirement; library resources; laboratory and facilities; admission and retention policy, adviser to student ration, and thesis/dissertation panel; research and creative works; and Higher Education Institution (HEI)-Industry partnership. It also involved validation of the evidence and interviews with the key persons involved.

During the closing meeting, the evaluators shared their findings on the evaluated programs, highlighting the strengths of the three programs and areas of improvement. They also commended the BSU Local Task Force for their cooperation throughout the evaluation period. Likewise, Comila delivered his words of commitment and gratitude to the evaluators. He then expressed support to the colleges and urged them to continue working together towards quality programs and services.

The evaluation process is also an essential step for the MPA, MHRM, and MCM’s accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP).//EBawayan