With the goal of gathering firsthand accounts of the implementation of institutional quality assurance systems in a Philippine higher education institution, guests from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) were welcomed at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) on March 17, 2026, for a capacity-building visit. Joining them was a delegation from the Southeast Asia and Australia Government-to-Government Partnerships program (SEAG2G), alongside select officials and staff from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The visit commenced with the Putungan, a traditional welcome performance rendered by PNU’s student performing groups. Shortly after, the visitors were taken on a campus tour, showcasing the university’s top-notch facilities for teacher education. The tour was led by PNU President Dr. Bert J. Tuga.

The delegation then proceeded to the AV Theater for the dialogue portion of the visit. The Vice President for Research, Extension, and Quality Assurance, Dr. Teresita T. Rungduin, formally welcomed the guests through warm remarks that centered on how the pursuit of quality is a shared and collaborative task. A message was then delivered on behalf of CHED by Dr. Lora L. Yusi, Director IV of the Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance (OIQAG). Dr. Yusi elaborated that due to its longstanding culture of quality assurance and excellence, particularly in the field of teacher education, PNU was chosen as the ideal site for the capacity-building visit.

Dr. Tuga delivered a message on behalf of PNU, underscoring that the gathering was a reflection of the growing importance of international collaboration in strengthening higher education systems. “As higher education becomes increasingly interconnected, institutions must continuously learn from one another, sharing best practices, benchmarking standards, and exploring new possibilities for transnational education,” Dr. Tuga added.

Following this, Dr. Leah Amor S. Cortez, Vice President for Student Success and Stakeholders Services, detailed PNU’s history and mandate as the National Center for Teacher Education.

A sharing of best practices followed shortly after. The Prospects of Transnational Higher Education at PNU and the university’s Institutional Quality Assurance Systems were presented by Vice President for Academics, Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas, and Quality Assurance Management Office Director, Prof. Ruel A. Avilla, respectively. An audio-visual presentation covering the collaborative projects of PNU and CHED was also shared with the guests.

The open dialogue was facilitated by the Director of the Educational Policy Research and Development Office, Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig. During the forum, guests were given the opportunity to inquire about the intricacies of the quality assurance systems employed by PNU and CHED. Dr. Tuga, together with OIQAG’s Dr. Yusi and CHED-National Capital Region Director Atty. Marco Cicero F. Domingo, responded to the guests’ queries and provided more context on the prevailing quality assurance arrangements and policies.

Concluding the forum were the remarks from the Director of the Linkages and International Office, Prof. Bryan C. Dayuta. Director Dayuta expressed the collective optimism that more partnerships and collaborations on quality assurance and related fields will spring from the endeavor.

As PNU continues to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education, this promising engagement with TEQSA and CHED solidifies the enduring dedication of PNU to quality assurance.