Committed to strengthening its internationalization initiatives, Marikina Polytechnic College stepped onto the regional stage by participating in the high-profile AACCUP–AQAN–SEAMEO RIHED–AUN Internal Quality Assurance Knowledge Dialogue Session on July 17, 2026. Under the leadership of President Rene M. Colocar, MPC served as the strategic venue for the gathering, bringing key higher education stakeholders directly to its campus.

MPC Vice Presidents Dr. Ma. Arra B. Santos-Bava (Academic Affairs), Dr. Joemel V. Bautista (Administration and Finance), and Dr. Glen R. Mangali (Planning, Research, Extension, Linkages, Quality Assurance, Publication, and Alumni Relations), along with Quality Assurance Director Professor Josephine L. Obispo, actively engaged in the dialogue. The session focused on institutional policies, shared QA practices, and measures to mitigate challenges in higher education. Joining them were Office of Student Affairs Director Prof. Rialita A. Villarena, Extension Services Office Director Mr. Lester M. Abaratigue, College Secretary Prof. Christian L. Motol, Income and Resource Generation Office Director Dr. Jerry F. Napay, Jr., Program Chair for Doctorate Studies Dr. Reah C. Suniga, and QA Head Prof. Realyn M. Bonifacio.

Aimed at lifting educational standards across the entire ASEAN bloc, the dialogue session was initiated by the Knowledge Capture Team headed by AQAN President Dr. Milabel E. Ho. Joining her were regional experts Assoc. Prof. Dawisa Sritanyarat, Mr. Korn Ratanagosoom, Ms. Nisanat Watthayu, Mr. Prem Anand Arjunan, and Mr. Panupong Sriudom. This session served as a key component of the “1st Workshop on Universities’ IQA Implementation in the Philippines,” which brought together 231 state university and college leaders who were trained to utilize the AUN-QA IQA Management Toolkit Version 1.3. During the three-day workshop, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis urged state universities and colleges to embrace outcomes-based quality assurance to successfully navigate the country’s diverse academic landscape.

By: Media Bureau