In pursuit of quality enhancement and preparation for accreditation, the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) hosted a two-day Open Registration Program (ORP) on Quality Assurance in TVET Programs and Services Delivery of Institutions through Accreditation from March 11 to 12, 2025 at its headquarters in Pasig City, Metro Manila.

The delegation, led by Ms. Ria Gomez, Supervising TESD Specialist of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region V, consisted of 44 participants from the following TVET institutions in the Bicol Region, Philippines: San Francisco Institute of Science and Technology (SFIST), Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS), Ragay Polytechnic Skills Institute (RPSI), Cabugao School of Handicraft & Cottage Industries (CSHCI), Masbate Institute of Fisheries and Technology (MIFT), Bulusan National Vocational Technical School (BNVTS), and Sorsogon National Agricultural School (SNAS).

Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja delivers his message and welcomes the participants in the opening ceremony

During the opening ceremony, CPSC Director General and APACC President Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja formally welcomed the participants and wished them success throughout the program. He provided a brief overview of the history and mandates of the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC). He also encouraged more Philippine TVET institutions to pursue accreditation in view of improving TVET quality and fostering a globally competitive TVET sector.

Ms. Ria Gomez delivers her special remarks on behalf of TESDA Region V

On behalf of TESDA Region V, Ms. Gomez expressed her appreciation to CPSC and the participating institutions for their efforts in implementing the program. Echoing Prof. Dr. Dhameja’s message, Ms. Gomez shared her aspirations for the institutions to be APACC-accredited and act as catalysts for change in TVET. She ended her special remarks by quoting the TESDA Director General, Hon. Jose Francisco B. Benitez: “Sa TESDA, basta’t sama-sama, lahat ay kayang kaya.” (In TESDA, as long as we are together, everything is possible.)

Ms. Julifer Madeja (top left), Prof. Naeem Yaqoob (top right), and Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen (bottom) present their lectures on quality assurance and APACC accreditation

The two-day ORP consisted of sessions with Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Faculty Consultant and APACC Chairperson; Prof. Naeem Yaqoob, CPSC Faculty Specialist and APACC Co-Chairperson; and Ms. Julifer Madeja, APACC Officer. The sessions covered APACC application procedures, accreditation process, submission of self-study reports (SSR), and development of an institutional system development plan. The participants were also introduced to the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework which is the foundation of the seven APACC criteria.

Participants during their study visit at Don Bosco Institute of Makati

After the sessions, the participants visited Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati, an APACC Silver Awardee, where they were given a comprehensive orientation on the institution’s best practices and a tour of its facilities.

The participants successfully completed the two-day ORP and awarded them certificates of participation during the closing ceremony. Selected participants also shared their insights gained from the program, and extended their profound gratitude to CPSC for allowing them to dream and be motivated to pursue APACC accreditation.

Prof. Naeem Yaqoob (left) summarizes the two-day program; Ms. Gomez (right) conveys her message in the closing ceremony

As the program concluded, Prof. Naeem summarized the two-day session wherein he recommended exploring innovative approaches to improve the TVET system as part of the quality enhancement journey. Similarly, Ms. Gomez emphasized in her special remarks that quality is a continuous and never-ending journey. With this, she imparted a message for the 44 participants to embrace the challenges that come along with improvement and take this opportunity to apply for APACC accreditation.

Prof. Dr. Dhameja delivers his closing remarks to conclude the program

Finally, Prof. Dr. Dhameja congratulated the 44 participants for completing the program and thanked the CPSC staff, APACC, and TESDA for another successful collaborative program provided for TVET Philippines. He also expressed his hopes for a sustainable APACC as it continues to expand its reach both locally and internationally.