Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), led by University President Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, will participate in a nationwide research initiative approved and funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) aimed at examining and strengthening quality assurance (QA) systems among Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs).

The initiative is part of the research project “Scoping Study on Quality Assurance Systems of Philippine Higher Education Institutions,” which will be implemented across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through a partnership among participating universities. The project is spearheaded by Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in partnership with Western Mindanao State University (WMSU), Visayas State University (VSU), and the University of the East (UE). The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on March 5, 2026, by their respective presidents: Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr., Dr. Ma. Carla A. Ochotorena, Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes, and Dr. Zosimo Battad.

Under the project, WMSU will serve as the Mindanao regional collaborator, contributing to the nationwide effort to examine existing quality assurance mechanisms among HEIs, review QA frameworks and practices, identify implementation gaps, and recommend strategies to further strengthen the country’s higher education quality assurance systems. WMSU will conduct the study in its assigned region under the supervision of Project Leader Dr. Sarah S. Taupan and Project Staff Prof. Vinchail A. Siason.

Through this initiative, WMSU reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, accountability, and continuous institutional improvement, while contributing to national efforts to elevate the standards of Philippine higher education. (AIM,PAO)

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Photos courtesy of MMSU