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SU college programs to undergo PAASCU re-accreditation

by Joellie Belle Badon | November 17, 2021

Several programs from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Education (CoE), and College of Mass Communication (CMC) of Silliman University (SU) are among those set to undergo re-accreditation on November 18 and 19. 

The Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) are set to re-accredit the arts programs (English, Filipino, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology, and Anthropology) and science programs (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics) of CAS, the education programs (elementary and secondary) and the nutrition and dietetics (ND) program of the CoE, and the mass communication program of the CMC.

In a virtual interview with the Weekly Sillimanian (tWS) on Tuesday, November 16, Dr. Mae Brigitt Bernadel L. Villordon, CAS dean, said: “We have prepared this. I think it’s more than a year wherein [sic — since] we have prepared for this re-accreditation of the PAASCU. So, it’s a collaborative effort of all departments and even within their departments, meaning there’s an active participation from students, from faculty and staff in the preparation of the documents needed for the PAASCU [re-accreditation].”

Dr. Villordon then added: “We are ready, of course, and usually after we are accredited, we then implement the recommendations. What usually happens [is that] PAASCU will give a recommendation [and] they will give their feedback and comment. So, we have to do something with those feedbacks and comments. Whatever the feedback and comments whatever our weakness, we will try to strengthen that.”

According to Dr. Villordon, there were a lot of improvements and developments that took place in the last five years from 2015 to 2020. “I would say we are pretty much ready for this PAASCU re-accreditation which will happen in two days’ time,” she remarked. 

All of the colleges’ programs will be accredited simultaneously, with almost all of these programs set to obtain Level IV accreditation. On the other hand, the BSND will be re-accredited for Level II.

“It was a challenge because of the pandemic, and it is usually a welcomed activity. Accreditation is a welcomed activity in the department because it gives us a chance to improve. Improve our delivery, improve our processes. . . . improve our classes, improve our teaching, improve our facilities. So, it’s welcome but it’s challenging now because of the pandemic [since] it has to be done online, and there are pros and cons, but nonetheless, hopefully, I’d like to believe that we are prepared,” stated Asst. Prof. Jin H. Genove, chairperson of the ND Department. 

BSND, which is under the College of Education, will be accredited twice for Level II since they were only given the status once. “You have to be [at] Level II for ten years,” explained Asst. Prof. Genove on the level status re-accreditation. 

“One thing about ND in Silliman [is that] it’s the first [ND] school in the Philippines that is PAASCU-accredited. We were the first. . . . for Level II.”

tWS also reached out to the persons in charge of the College of Mass Communication who confirmed their preparedness for the upcoming re-accreditation. No other statements were given. 

PAASCU is an accrediting body that certifies educational institutions or programs that have been reviewed and found to meet acceptable academic quality standards. 

The PAASCU accreditation is valid for five years. The mentioned programs’ accreditations were last granted in 2015 and were set to expire in 2020. However, due to the pandemic, the re-accreditation was postponed and rescheduled.

Before the pandemic, PAASCU accreditors would visit SU and meet with the university administrators, including the President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice-President for Finance and Development, deans and chairpersons, faculty, and students whom the accrediting body would ask questions for the evaluation. However, on Thursday and Friday, the accreditation will be done virtually through a virtual meeting on Zoom with the same relevant personnel.

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