Pangasinan State University opened its doors to institutional collaboration as it presented its established quality management initiatives to Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) during a benchmarking activity held at the PSU Golden Lion Hotel on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
The activity served as a platform for meaningful exchange of strategies and operational approaches in quality assurance. Key discussions focused on PSU’s implementation of the ISO 21001:2018 Educational Organization Management, AACCUP Institutional and Program Accreditation Level IV, Philippine Quality Award Level III or Mastery in Quality Management, and the CHED’s institutional sustainability assessment.
The engagement further strengthened cooperation between the two universities in advancing institutional effectiveness, accountability and innovation in higher education.
The University’s Vice President for Quality Assurance, Dr. Celeste Mercado, represented by PSU Director for International Accreditation Dr. Randy Joy Ventayen, welcomed the ISAT U delegation as hr underscored PSU’s culture of collaboration and its commitment to supporting fellow state universities through the sharing of experiences, best practices, and proven quality management systems.
“At Pangasinan State University, we believe that quality is strengthened when institutions learn from one another. Our commitment is not only to achieve excellence but also to share our experiences and innovations with partner universities for the advancement of Philippine higher education.” Dr. Ventayen said.
Meanwhile, Prof. William Cayetano, PSU Director for local accreditation discussed the host university’s journey to PQA.
Meanwhile, ISATU delegation head and Director for Quality Assurance, Dr. Frisian Causing, expressed her gratitude to PSU for the opportunity to benchmark its quality assurance mechanisms and gain insights from the University’s experiences in achieving institutional excellence.
“We are grateful for PSU’s openness in sharing its processes and initiatives. This benchmarking activity provides valuable learning that will guide our university in enhancing our own quality assurance systems and sustaining a culture of excellence,” she stated.
The successful conduct of the activity reflects the continuing leadership of University President, Dr. Elbert M. Galas, whose administration prioritizes quality-driven governance, institutional partnerships, and continuous improvement as part of the University’s strategic direction.
Through initiatives such as benchmarking engagements, PSU continues to promote collaboration among higher education institutions while reinforcing its role as a leading state university in quality management and educational innovation.
