Written by Japhet Perez and Kristine Padong, SBAA Interns | Photos by Linkages Office/Mr. Rene Pascua
In its continuing commitment to institutional excellence and quality assurance, the University of Baguio (UB), through its Quality Assurance Office (QAO), successfully conducted the ISO 21001:2018 Internal Audit on March 11–12, 2026, at the Centennial Hall. The audit engaged active participation from various offices of the University. A total of 56 internal auditor-participants and eight (8) working committee members from the QAO, Linkages and Sound System (28 males and 36 females) participated. Auditors and auditee-offices collaborated in reviewing documents, verifying processes, and ensuring that each office met the required ISO standards, highlighting the importance of teamwork and shared responsibility in quality assurance and to evaluate compliance with ISO standards and strengthen the University’s Educational Organization Management System (EOMS), reflecting UB’s dedication to maintaining globally aligned quality practices similar to its other quality-driven initiatives.
The internal audit aimed to assess the effectiveness of existing processes, ensure compliance with ISO 21001:2018 requirements, and identify areas for continuous improvement. It also served as a mechanism to reinforce accountability, transparency, and efficiency across all offices, ensuring that institutional operations remain responsive to both national and international standards.
The audit kicked off on Day 1 with a productive opening meeting, establishing clear expectations. Following the preliminary briefings, auditors transitioned into the internal audit proper, conducting systematic and rigorous evaluations across all offices to ensure alignment with established ISO 21001:2018 standards.
The second day focus shifted towards synthesis and reporting in the closing meeting. Internal auditors finalized their reports using the My Audit/Internal Audit module in the UB-ACCESS to provide an accurate snapshot of their findings. The UB-ACCESS, or the University of Baguio ACCESS (Accreditation and Certification Compliance through Effective Sharing System), is an internal online platform designed to streamline, secure, and standardize document management, accreditation, certification compliance, and information sharing within the University. UB-ACCESS facilitates submission, storage, controlled release, audit trailing, and monitoring of official university documents across various offices.
In the Closing Meeting, a formal presentation of findings and summary of observations were done whether they are Best Practices (BP), Opportunities for Improvement (OFI) or Non-conformity (NC) – minor/major. The session concluded with reminders that while the internal audit was thorough, the pursuit of quality is an ongoing process.
The ISO 21001:2018 Internal Audit serves as a strategic initiative to align UB’s internal processes with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs). By strengthening the University’s Educational Organization Management System (EOMS), UB ensures that its teaching, learning, and support services meet established quality standards in line with SDG 4: Quality Education. This commitment enhances instructional delivery, improves student outcomes, and promotes continuous academic excellence. For SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth alignment, through systematic evaluation of processes and performance, the audit promotes efficiency, productivity, and adherence to professional standards. This fosters a culture of accountability and supports a more effective and empowered workforce. Lastly, by engaging various offices, departments, and stakeholders, the internal audit reinforces collaboration and shared responsibility aligning the activity with in aligning the activity with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. This unified effort strengthens institutional partnerships and aligns university operations with global quality benchmarks
The ISO 21001:2018 Internal Audit generated valuable outcomes, including strengthened compliance, improved documentation practices, and increased awareness of quality standards among university personnel. In the long term, the activity is expected to enhance institutional performance, promote a culture of continuous improvement, and further solidify collaboration across offices. Ultimately, the ISO Internal Audit stands as a testament to UB’s unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and excellence—ensuring that its systems, services, and people continuously evolve to meet the demands of a dynamic global academic environment.
