University of Santo Tomas Office of QS/THE Rankings Deputy Director Engr. Nestor R. Ong, MSIE, PIE, ASEAN Eng, was invited as the expert speaker at a virtual roundtable discussion on the topic titled, “Self-Assessing the impacts as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the implementation of the SDGs for society and a sustainable future.” The discussion was held on July 13, 2022.
In his sharing, Ong stressed the importance of self-assessment in HEIs saying, “This requires a self-assessment tool, a theoretical framework and/or conceptual framework as well as a tool for continuous improvement program/process improvement as well as indicators. On top of the tools and framework, it has to do with the mindset and culture for the pursuit of continuous improvement and achieving operational excellence. This is mainly because we want to make sure of what we are doing, make the necessary corrections and improve what we are doing. In other words, it enhances capacity building to do things right and achieve operational excellence.”
Ong also shared with his audience the impact of the implementation of self-assessment of Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education Institutions. He mentioned external Quality Assurance as one of the most important things that is being considered by the THE Impact Rankings, and SDGs can therefore be used as a guide to transform the academe, since this will also entail articulating the SDGs in the Vision-Mission-Objective of the institution.
The roundtable discussion (RTD) aimed to foster an environment and a set of strong applicable practices conducive to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in university functions. This event emphasized embedding the SDGs in instruction, research, community engagement, and operations of the HEI for a sustainable future within and beyond the institution. The RTD was attended by academic officials, faculty, staff, CHED officials, and stakeholders from the Top 15 Philippine HEIs contributing to the SDGs of the United Nations based on the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings nationwide.
The University of the Philippines – Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders Philippines (UP-CIFAL Philippines) is one of the 24 global CIFAL centers affiliated with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) specializing in training and research on promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), migration, and gender equality. The roundtable discussion was conducted in collaboration with the University of the Philippines College of Education and the Quezon City Education Unit.
No stranger to accreditation and rankings initiatives, Ong has shared his expertise in various universities and institutions such as the Commission on Higher Education, Network of CALABARZON Educational Institutions, Inc. (NOCEI), Philippine Normal University (PNU), University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, and Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) – Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Davao, Manila and Makati, the latter of which is rated as a QS-Star institution.
The University of Santo Tomas has established itself as an authority on international rankings and ratings and has been known for helping Philippine universities uplift their educational standards to be at par with international standards and be recognized on the global scene as also mandated by CHED.
Ong and Office Assistant Mr. Vien Vic G. Flores, have been invited by the Bukidnon State University to administer a two-day QS Star Rating F2F Lecture-Workshop from July 21 to July 22, 2022 to help them in assessing their preparedness for the forthcoming QS Stars application.
