The Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) conducted an online orientation on the APACC instrument 2019 for Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial School of Arts and Trades (JZGMSAT) officials in preparation for the institution’s re-evaluation. The orientation, held from November 4 – 5, 2021, was conducted by APACC lead accreditor Dr. Romulita Alto and facilitated by APACC Officer Ms. Adrienne Abril. It was attended by 26 participants who are members of the JZGMSAT self-study team.

JZGMSAT is one of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Technology Institutions located in the province of Laguna and one of the earliest institutions to be first accredited by APACC. The last re-evaluation to this particular institute was held in 2012.

The two-day activity started with an opening program. In his opening remarks, the JZGMSAT Vocational School Administrator III Mr. Benito G. Reyes welcomed the conduct of the orientation for their officials to be equipped with knowledge on the preparation of self-study reports especially most of the officials just joined the institution. He expressed his eagerness to continue the journey towards APACC re-accreditation and he affirmed APACC’s importance in their operations and the benefits it has brought to the institution including infrastructure improvements.

Mr. Benito Reyes, Vocational School Administrator III, JZGMSAT

During the two-day activity, Dr. Alto discussed in detail each of the seven APACC criterion used for institutional evaluation while Ms. Abril provided the updates on the procedures and other administrative matters.

Dr. Romulita Alto and Ms. Adrienne Abril during their respective presentations

Closing remarks by the APACC President Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe

A short closing program was held at the end of the second day graced by the APACC President Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe. He stressed the importance of conducting the orientation which are to increase the understanding of APACC processes and standards and identify the gaps in order to achieve the set objectives. He sent his best wishes to the institution officials in their journey towards improving the quality of their services and their aspiration to convert JZGMSAT into a polytechnic. Lastly, he thanked the organizers and resource speakers for their efforts and JZGMSAT officials for actively participating during the orientation.