University News

Quality Engineering Programs: PTC Awards Tier 1 Status to the Sintang Paaralan

Jan Vincent Lanuza, News, Communication Management Office

The Quality Assurance Center (QAC), following the successful assessment and evaluation of engineering practices, has led the awarding ceremony of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ (PUP) attainment of the Philippine Technological Council’s (PTC) Tier 1 status at Silid Lakan Dayang, University Library on April 24.

Awarded by the PTC, this classification signifies PUP’s robust capability and institutional autonomy, balanced with public accountability, to consistently deliver accredited engineering programs to the standards of international recognition bodies, such as the Washington Accord.

Further, PTC’s Tier 1 Classification to PUP, valid for six years, is vital for the University’s engineering programs as they pursue accreditation from the Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering Technology (ACBET)

University President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi expressed his gratitude to the PTC for this achievement and to the QAC and College of Engineering (COE) for their hard work on making this accomplishment possible.

“This reflects our collective commitment to excellence, to global standards in engineering education. We are now recognized under the Washington Accords, which means our engineering programs are substantially equivalent among signatory nations, and this will facilitate the mobility of our graduates, allowing them to work and be recognized globally.” Muhi said.

Muhi added that this recognition advances PUP's goal of becoming the country's leading polytechnic university, contributing significantly to polytechnic and engineering education by elevating local programs to international standards.

QAC Director Dr. Sanjay P. Claudio noted that the University’s quality assurance goal is not just to achieve local accreditation, but also international recognition to raise education standards for the welfare of the Iskolar ng Bayan.

“We’re not doing this for the sake of rankings,” Claudio said. “We really do all of this, submitting our course programs for external quality assurance, is because of our students. We believe that quality, first and foremost, is our responsibility. We need to make sure that we’re able to submit and humbly get the opinion, as well as assessment of external accrediting bodies so that we would be able to improve and address all these concerns.”

The Sintang Paaralan, with this achievement, is now the third state university to attain PTC Tier 1 status, following the University of the Philippines and the Batangas State University in this honor.

Following this new accolade, the COE will undergo an on-site evaluation by the PTC in August for its Bachelor of Science programs in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electronics Engineering.

After remarks from Claudio and Muhi, PTC President Engr. Federico A. Monsada discussed the organization's history and role in advancing engineering education, as well as the field's significance to societal development. Assistant Director for Institutional and International Quality Assurance Dr. Luisito L. Lacatan then delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing that "excellence is not a destination, but a continuing pursuit."

Also present to witness the proceedings were University officials, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Planning and Finance Prof. Alberto C. Guillo and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Edelyn M. Mariano-Guillo, alongside accreditation leaders ACBET Chair Dr. Lydia G. Tansinsin and Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Chair Dr. May Rose C. Imperial. PUP deans, COE officials, Quality Assurance coordinators, and PTC members also attended.

PUP’s new Tier 1 status reflects its mission to improve engineering education for aspiring engineers from the Sintang Paaralan, demonstrating its commitment to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): No. 4 in quality education, No. 8 in providing decent work and economic growth and No. 17 in forming and strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships.