The Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) continues its mission to build strong ties with academic institutions, recognizing their crucial role in shaping future professionals and industry experts.

On August 30, 2024, PAB conducted an “Introduction to Accreditation: Orientation on Philippine Accreditation Bureau’s Services” at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. The event was held at the TARC Auditorium in the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, and aimed to enlighten faculty, researchers, and graduate students about the importance of accreditation in ensuring quality and excellence in various sectors. The orientation highlighted PAB’s services, underscoring the critical role that academic professionals can play in the accreditation process.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Science, emphasized the importance of accreditation in maintaining the highest standards and industry practices. He pointed out that the partnership between PAB and academic institutions is crucial in fostering a culture of quality that transcends classroom learning and extends to real-world applications.

The event featured comprehensive presentations by PAB representatives. Mr. Jenebert P. Opinion, a Trade-Industry Development Specialist, provided an overview of PAB’s mandate and services, emphasizing the significance of accredited conformity assessment and the role of accreditation in our everyday life and global trade. Ms. Ma. Juanita P. Carpio, Division Chief of the Management System Accreditation Division (MSAD), delved into the specifics of PAB-MSAD’s accreditation programs and highlighted the vital contributions of technical experts and assessors in upholding the integrity of these programs.

One of the key objectives of PAB’s outreach to academic institutions is to invite seasoned educators, researchers, and industry professionals to become PAB technical experts and assessors. As Ms. Michelle P. Esteban, Division Chief of the Laboratory Accreditation Division, articulated in her presentation, the involvement of academics in the accreditation process brings a wealth of specialized knowledge and experience that enhances the credibility and effectiveness of PAB’s assessments.

The open forum provided an opportunity for participants to engage with PAB representatives, raising pertinent questions and sharing insights on how the academic community can further contribute to the quality chain. The event concluded with a call to action, encouraging interested faculty members, researchers, and future industry practitioners to join PAB’s pool of experts and play a direct role in shaping the standards that govern various industries in the Philippines.

Assoc. Prof. Alan Rodelle M. Salcedo, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Chemistry, closed the event by reaffirming the academic community’s commitment to quality and excellence. He expressed optimism that this collaboration with PAB would lead to more opportunities for academic professionals to apply their expertise in meaningful ways, further advancing the country’s quality assurance and accreditation efforts.

This initiative is the second leg of the outreach to colleges and universities, with the first session held at De La Salle University Laguna Campus on August 9, 2024. The series will continue with an orientation at the University of Makati on September 20, 2024, and is expected to be part of many planned academic and industry partnerships.

Release Date: 13 September 2024.