Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) has taken a significant step towards academic excellence as six of its proposed graduate school programs underwent a comprehensive two-day evaluation by the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Joint Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) and the Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD) Technical Panel Review. The evaluation kicked off this Thursday, March 8, at the Audiovisual Room of ISUFST Main Campus-Tiwi Site, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.

 

The programs under scrutiny include the Master of Arts in Education with majors in Mathematics, Science, and English, as well as the Doctor of Philosophy in Education Major in Mathematics, Science, and English Language Teaching. These programs represent ISUFST’s commitment to advancing its educational offerings and setting new benchmarks in academic quality.

 

The evaluation team, led by CHED OPSD Technical Committee evaluators Dr. Ruby Serrano and Dr. Ericson Reyes, who participated online, and the face-to-face evaluation by RQAT evaluators Dr. Delsa Gange, Dr. Jan Dolly Grace Deita, and Dr. Noeda Madamesila, along with CHED Regional Office Education Supervisors Dr. Danebeth Narzoles, Dr. Roxanne Edrosolano, and Dr. Ma. Mercedes Monsale, meticulously examined the university’s documents, facilities, and faculty qualifications. The expert evaluators provided invaluable feedback to refine the proposed programs’ faculty portfolio, curriculum, processes, protocols, offerings, and infrastructure.

 

Dr. Joan Belga, Vice President for Academic Affairs at ISUFST, emphasized the importance of the thorough evaluation process, stating, “This visit signifies a crucial step in ensuring our programs not only meet but exceed the highest educational standards. This evaluation sharpens our focus on excellence and cultivates the expertise our students deserve. Your [The evaluators] presence fosters accountability, reminding us that our education must empower our students’ professional and personal growth.” Dr. Belga thanked the evaluators for their steadfast review and responsive engagement with the university’s community.

 

If approved by CHED, ISUFST plans to offer these graduate programs starting in October this year. Notably, the Ph.D. in Education Major in English Language Teaching will be a pioneering program in Western Visayas, offered for the first time by a state university or college.

After the first evaluation day, University President Nordy Siason, Jr. expressed appreciation for the RQAT evaluators’ expertise and commitment to CHED’s standards. He praised the ISUFST team’s diligent preparation and remarked, “Their legacy is the true nature of greatness.”

Reiterating his mantra from the university’s conversion, Dr. Siason stressed that “mediocrity has no place here in ISUFST.” Thus, he invites all stakeholders to continue to pursue excellence in all endeavors.

 

For her part, CHED Regional Office Supervisor Dr. Ma. Mercedes Monsale encouraged the ISUFST community to persist in their pursuit of excellence, stating, “Let us continue championing education, uplifting our faculty portfolio, and ensuring the success of our students.” She confirmed that the evaluation results would be announced on Friday morning.

 

Dr. Stephen Raymund Jinon, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, also expressed his gratitude towards the team’s collective effort, saying, “The success of this evaluation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. It’s a collaborative achievement that will pave the way for our university’s continued growth and excellence.”

 

“And so, as we await the results, we remain hopeful and committed to achieving the highest educational quality and innovation standards,” Dr. Jinon added.

 

ISUFST, a 66-year-old institution formerly Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF), currently offers 27 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs. With campuses in Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Dingle, and San Enrique, the university serves a community of 8,000 students and 250 full-time faculty members.