University President and Vice Presidents attend Conference

A post for posterity with the participants, Drs. Maria Luisa R. Soliven (4th from the left, first row), Anthony M. Penaso (3rd from the left, first row) and Luzviminda T. Simborio (1st from the left, first row)

The University President, Dr. Maria Luisa R. Soliven and the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs and Research and Extension Drs. Anthony M. Penaso and Luzviminda T. Simborio attended a conference on International Rankings and Its implications on Philippine Higher Education Institution at Crown Plaza Hotel, Quezon City on July 3-4, 2013.

The conference aimed to serve as a venue for dialogue between an international ranking group (i.e. QS-Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings) and Philippine universities, and a forum for discussions on how the latter can communicate ideas on what should also matter in ranking universities/ Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) based on their ideals and experiences. It also aimed to facilitate the strengthening of structures and competencies toward a sustainable strategy for improvement in the international rankings of leading HEIs in the country.

University Ranking Systems has been increasing and was shaping the arena of higher education since the early years of the 21^st century. The arrival of these systems resulted in various nations providing significantly increased attention to and investment in higher education putting the spotlight on their ability to provide quality higher education, the influence and outcome of their researches, and the over-all performance of their graduates, vis-à-vis other leading HEIs in the world stage.

Mr. Antonio D. Kalaru, Jr. CESO I, President, Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) welcomed the participants. Important topics that were discussed in the conference included International Rankings and Publications of Philippines HEIs by Commissioner Maria Cynthia Rose B. Bautista, CHED; Conference Background and Workshop Mechanics by Dr. Gisela P. Concepcion, Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of the Philippines System; Research and Development in the Philippines Partnering with Elsevier  by Mr. Pio Salvador Ramon Omana, Accounting Manager- Elsevier Philippines; Getting Philippine Journals Scopes by Ms. Ng Hui Ling,  Academic and Government Group-Elsevier; External Improvement Strategies Relevant to QS World University Rankings by Ms. Mandy Mok, Managing Director of QS Asia Quacquarelli Symonds Pte.Ltd. Singapore; and Introduction to the Ranking Landscape, Analysis of Ranking Methodologies, Developing Strategies for Improving Rankings Performance and Driving Internal Changes to Respond Positively to Rankings to Human Factor by Mr. Michael Fung, Director of Planning and Institutional Research, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The conference was hosted by the CHED, DAP and UP (FCT/UPIO).