The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) received three awards during the 35th Annual General Assembly of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities – Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) for the following achievements:

• For being awarded Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in September 2024;
• For reaching Level IV accredited status for its Master of Science in Management (MScM) Program, the first MScM program in NCR to achieve this status; and 
• For garnering third place in the Best Research Paper category for the paper entitled “Strengthening Workforce and Increasing Employability through HEI Quality Assurance and International Standards,” submitted by UA&P Associate Professor and University Research Office Executive Director Dr. Veronica E. Ramirez.

UA&P was once again granted autonomous status by CHED, with a validity period of three years that will culminate on September 15, 2027. Its MScM program is the flagship graduate program of the UA&P School of Management (SMN). It is a unique Straight Bachelor’s + Master’s program that equips its students with the knowledge, attributes, skills, and experiences to strategically apply the core competencies of an MScM Leader and a good and innovative researcher who can drive meaningful advancements in their field.

Representing UA&P in the awarding ceremony were Academic Quality Assurance Office (AQA) Managing Director Ms. Ma. Humildad Claro, AQA Officer Ms. Marie Jennelle Altoveros, SMN Dean Dr. Anna Maria Mendoza, MScM Program Director Ms. Lota Kristine San Juan-Nable, and SMN consultant Ms. Elsie Laguador.

AQA Managing Director Ms. Millie (center, holding the plaque) receives the award given by PACUCOA to UA&P for having been granted autonomous status by the Commission on Higher Education. With her are (starting from 3rd from left) AQA Officer Ms. Marie Jennelle Altoveros, MScM Program Director Ms. Lota Kristine San Juan-Nable, SMN consultant Ms. Elsie Laguador, and SMN Dean Dr. Anna Maria Mendoza.

SMN Dean Dr. Anna Maria Mendoza (center) receives the award in recognition of the Level IV accredited status granted to the Master of Science in Management Program, the flagship program of SMN.

Ms. Millie Claro received the Third Best Paper Award on behalf of Dr. Veronica E. Ramirez.

With the theme “Enhancing Employability through Quality Assurance and International Standards,” the annual general assembly and 51st Foundation Anniversary celebration of PACUCOA  was held last December 10 at Novotel Manila Araneta City.

PACUCOA is a private, voluntary, non-stock, non-profit organization that gives formal recognition to an educational institution by attesting that its academic program maintains excellent standards in its educational operations.