The University of Northern Philippines opened its doors on November 20, 2025, to SOCOTEC Certification Philippines, Inc. for the conduct of its Quality Management System (QMS) Surveillance Audit under ISO 9001:2015. The two-day assessment, scheduled from November 20 to 21, brings together a three-member audit team composed of Lead Auditor Dr. Catherine Talao-Sigua and Support Auditors Ms. Hannah Leah Bautista and Ms. Gemma Telan, who will evaluate the university’s adherence to international standards in delivering tertiary education services.
This year’s audit covers a wide scope of UNP’s academic and administrative functions, including instruction, research, extension, production, support to operations, and administration, reflecting the institution’s broad and interconnected mission as a public higher education provider.
The audit formally commenced with an Opening Meeting at Tadena Hall, where Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rolando Navarro emphasized that ISO certification should be understood as a transformative culture rather than a compliance task.
“ISO certification is not merely about passing an audit or fulfilling documentation requirements. It is about cultivating a culture of quality, one that values proactive problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and a genuine desire to improve,” he said in his opening remarks.
He reminded University stakeholders that achieving and maintaining ISO standards requires shared accountability. Departments, offices, and individual personnel, he stressed, collectively ensure that systems remain responsive and aligned with global best practices. Dr. Navarro encouraged participants to take the audit as an opportunity for learning and refinement, saying that insights gathered will help strengthen both operational systems and the quality of services offered to students and partners.
Beyond organizational impact, Dr. Navarro noted that ISO also empowers individuals to embody excellence in their daily work. “Being part of an ISO-certified institution challenges each of us to be more mindful of our tasks… and more committed to delivering excellence,” he added.
In his message, University President Dr. Erwin Cadorna emphasized that the surveillance audit signifies an important milestone in UNP’s continuing pursuit of institutional excellence.
“Today is a critical step forward in our ongoing quest for institutional excellence. It reminds us that quality is not a goal to reach; it is a journey,” he said.
Dr. Cadorna acknowledged that while audits may be perceived by some as stressful, UNP embraces them as opportunities for honest reflection, moments to evaluate accomplishments, identify areas for enhancement, and reinforce systems that support the university’s mission. He emphasized the significance of maintaining transparent and consistent processes in higher education, noting UNP’s responsibility to prepare future leaders through practices aligned with international norms.
The President also highlighted the role of unity and collaboration in sustaining a robust quality management system. Quality assurance, he stressed, is not the task of a single office but a shared endeavor that involves faculty, staff, administrators, and students.
“When we all have the same goal, every little thing we do helps the institution become better as a whole,” he said.
He added that cooperation allows the institution to turn challenges into opportunities and build trust across its academic community—an essential ingredient for long-term quality sustainability.
The first day of the surveillance audit focuses on core academic units and offices under the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. These include the College of Law, College of Criminal Justice Education, College of Fine Arts, the Registrar’s Office, and the Office of Student Affairs and Services.
Under the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the audit team will also assess the operations of the Production and Auxiliary Services Office, particularly the Environmental Management Office, as well as the Infrastructure and Project Management Office – Project Implementing Office.
On the second day, the audit continues with the College of Technology and the National Service Training Program (NSTP) for instructional areas. The team will also evaluate the University’s Control of Documented Information process and proceed with audits of key administrative offices including the Procurement Office/Bids and Awards Committee, Financial Services Office – Budgeting Office, and the Information System Development and Security Office of the ICTO.
The Community and Extension Services Office under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension, along with the General Services Office, will likewise undergo evaluation. The day will conclude with SOCOTEC’s Internal Quality Audit, Management Review, and Deliberation, where findings and recommendations will be formally discussed.
UNP’s journey toward ISO certification has been progressive. The College of Teacher Education achieved its ISO certification in 2019, which paved the way for wider institutional certification. Under the leadership of President Cadorna, UNP secured its first institution-wide ISO 9001:2015 certification in 2021, achieved recertification in 2024, and is now undergoing its 2025 surveillance audit to validate the sustainability of its systems.
As the university continues its two-day engagement with SOCOTEC, its leadership reaffirms that quality assurance remains a cornerstone of its operations, anchored not only in compliance but in a shared institutional commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.
