USM Eyes Sustainable Partnership with SNA
August 17, 2026
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) is looking to increase the number of its Level IV accredited programs following the completion of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) online accreditation survey visit on August 12-14, 2026.
The four-day survey covered selected USM academic programs undergoing their fourth survey and revisit in specific areas, which provided an external assessment of the University’s continuing efforts in quality assurance and academic improvement.
The programs surveyed were the Bachelor of Arts in English for its fourth survey; Bachelor of Science in Development Communication for its fourth survey with a revisit in the Research area; Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Secondary Education for their fourth survey with a revisit in International Linkages and Consortia; and the Master of Science in Biology, Master of Arts in Education major in Educational Management, and Doctor of Education in Educational Management for their fourth survey with a revisit in Community Service and International Linkages.
Dr. Elsie M. Pacho of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) served as the overall coordinator of the AACCUP survey team. Dr. Sherrilyn B. Quintos of Bataan Peninsula State University, Dr. Jovelyn M. Cantina of J.H. Cerilles State University, Dr. Helen F. Delos Santos of the Philippine Normal University, Dr. Lanie M. Pacadaljen of Samar State University, Dr. Francis N. Baleta of the State University of Northern Negros, Dr. Quindhe M. Banquiao of J.H. Cerilles State University, and Dr. Marietta B. Arinto of Leyte Normal University composed the survey team.
During the opening conference, Dr. Pacho reminded the University that accreditation should not be viewed as a process of proving perfection, but as an opportunity to demonstrate continuous improvement.
“Accreditation is not about proving perfection, but demonstrating continuous improvement. Excellence is not a destination we claim, but a standard we pursue,” Dr. Pacho said.
She also noted that the academic exercise allows the University to articulate its best practices, which can contribute to improving services for the USM community and supporting the University’s vision.
Among the general observations of the survey team was USM’s strong performance in research, particularly its international publications.
The assessment also provided USM with insights that will guide its succeeding quality assurance efforts.
“We look forward to using the insights from this survey as a guide for our next steps. Whatever the results may be, we will take this process as an opportunity to further strengthen the University,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leorence C. Tandog said during the exit conference, representing the university president.
For the University Quality Assurance Office, the survey is also part of USM’s continuing pursuit of higher accreditation standing.
“We are hopeful that we have further increased the number of Level IV accredited programs and continue advancing the University standing among higher educational institutions in the country,” University Quality Assurance Office Director Dr. Lawrence Anthony U. Dollente said.
The AACCUP survey visit is part of USM’s continuing quality assurance efforts as the University works to improve its academic programs, research performance, community service, and international linkages while pursuing higher accreditation levels.
(Filipino Translation)
USM Umaasang Mas Dadami ang Level IV Accredited Programs Matapos ang AACCUP Survey
Umaasa ang University of Southern Mindanao (USM) na madaragdagan ang mga programang may Level IV accreditation matapos ang isinagawang online accreditation survey visit ng Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) noong Agosto 12 hanggang 14, 2026.
Sinuri ng AACCUP ang ilang academic programs ng USM na sumailalim sa kanilang fourth survey at revisit sa piling areas bilang bahagi ng patuloy na pagsusuri sa kalidad ng mga programa at serbisyo ng Unibersidad.
Kabilang sa mga programang isinailalim sa assessment ang Bachelor of Arts in English para sa fourth survey; Bachelor of Science in Development Communication para sa fourth survey na may revisit sa Research area; Bachelor of Elementary Education at Bachelor of Secondary Education para sa fourth survey na may revisit sa International Linkages and Consortia; at Master of Science in Biology, Master of Arts in Education major in Educational Management, at Doctor of Education in Educational Management para sa fourth survey na may revisit sa Community Service at International Linkages.
Pinangunahan ni Dr. Elsie M. Pacho ng Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) bilang overall coordinator ang AACCUP survey team. Kasama niya sa team sina Dr. Sherrilyn B. Quintos ng Bataan Peninsula State University, Dr. Jovelyn M. Cantina ng J.H. Cerilles State University, Dr. Helen F. Delos Santos ng Philippine Normal University, Dr. Lanie M. Pacadaljen ng Samar State University, Dr. Francis N. Baleta ng State University of Northern Negros, Dr. Quindhe M. Banquiao ng J.H. Cerilles State University, at Dr. Marietta B. Arinto ng Leyte Normal University.
Sa opening conference, binigyang-diin ni Pacho na hindi dapat tingnan ang accreditation bilang proseso ng pagpapatunay na perpekto ang isang institusyon, kundi bilang pagkakataon upang maipakita ang patuloy na pag-unlad.
“Accreditation is not about proving perfection, but demonstrating continuous improvement. Excellence is not a destination we claim, but a standard we pursue,” ani Pacho.
Ayon pa sa kanya, nagbibigay rin ang accreditation process ng pagkakataon sa Unibersidad na maibahagi ang mga epektibong gawain at pamamaraan nito na maaaring makatulong sa pagpapabuti ng mga serbisyo para sa USM community at sa pagtupad sa vision ng institusyon.
Kabilang sa mga paunang obserbasyon ng survey team ang magandang performance ng USM sa larangan ng research, partikular sa mga international publications nito.
Bukod dito, nagsilbi ring pagkakataon ang assessment upang matukoy ang mga obserbasyon at rekomendasyong maaaring maging gabay ng USM sa mga susunod nitong hakbang sa quality assurance.
“We look forward to using the insights from this survey as a guide for our next steps. Whatever the results may be, we will take this process as an opportunity to further strengthen the University,” ani Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leorence C. Tandog sa exit conference, kung saan kinatawan niya si University President.
Para naman sa University Quality Assurance Office, bahagi ang survey visit ng patuloy na pagsisikap ng USM na makamit ang mas mataas na accreditation standing.
“We are hopeful that we have further increased the number of Level IV accredited programs and continue advancing the University standing among higher educational institutions in the country,” ani University Quality Assurance Office Director Dr. Lawrence Anthony U. Dollente.
Bahagi ang AACCUP survey visit ng patuloy na quality assurance efforts ng USM habang isinusulong nito ang pagpapabuti ng mga academic programs, research, community service, at international linkages, kasabay ng hangaring makamit ang mas mataas na antas ng accreditation.
