USC undergoes ISO surveillance audit

The University of San Carlos underwent a surveillance audit for its ISO 9001:2015 certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI) on October 20 to 21, 2022. 

Audit with top management (front row, from left): Fr. Narciso A. Cellan, Jr., SVD, D.Comm. (President), Allen Roy Cruz, Mark Andrew Millamena, (back row, from left): Fr. Melchor P. Fuerzas, SVD (Assistant Vice President for Administration), Fr. Generoso Ricardo B. Rebayla, Jr., SVD, (VP for Administration), Engr. Irish Tejero-Dakay (Presidential Assistant for Quality Assurance/Quality Management Representative), and Fr. Jesuraj Anthoniappen, SVD, Ph.D. (VP for Academic Affairs)

USC started building its Quality Management System (QMS) back in 2012. It received its first ISO certification from TUV SUD in 2017. By January 26, 2022, BSI International granted the University another certification which was presented on April 1. 

To maintain its current ISO certification, USC was audited to evaluate its level of conformity with the Standard, the effectiveness of the management system in continually meeting objectives, and to identify areas for potential improvement of the management system, among others. 

The surveillance audit covered the areas of student support services on student welfare, student development and institutional student programs. 

Internal Quality Audit team (from left): Fr. Eleno P. Bucia (Lead), Engr. Dakay, Lorille Aguilar, Brenette Abrenica (online, from Germany), Emma Selma, Bianca Rose Buaya, Allen Roy Cruz, Mary Ann Lumacang (QMS Coordinator for Student Support and Services).

At the forefront representing the University is the Top Management together with the Internal Quality Audit Team. 

A total of 19 offices/units engaged student support and services and five resource management offices were reviewed and audited including Human Resources, Office of External Relations and Internationalization, Purchasing, Finance, Facility Maintenance, Office of Student Formation and Activities, Safety and Security, Registrar’s Office, Semper Fidelis (University Press), and Health Services. 

Process owners composed of 19 offices/units engaged in student support and services and five resource management offices.

During the closing meeting, the BSI Team presented the summary of its initial findings as well as opportunities for improvement. They also recommended USC’s continued Certification to ISO 9001:2015.

Meanwhile, USC President Fr. Narciso A. Cellan, Jr., SVD, D.Comm. expressed his gratitude to the BSI Team for taking the time to come to USC and to look into the issues that needed to be addressed. 

“It’s a different perspective when outsiders would look at us because not everything can be seen from where we are despite our best efforts. We owe it to our clientele, to the students, and to the Carolinian community to always aspire for the improvement in the quality of our service.” Fr. Cellan shared. He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the entire USC team who collaborated with the BSI during the two-day audit. 

The official results of the surveillance audit will be released within the week.

by Syrine Gladys Podadera

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