Through activities such as benchmarking, UB is able to push for stronger ties with fellow Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), local and national government units, and industry partners, creating a vast and diverse network that facilitates dynamic program development and knowledge exchange.
Prepared by Lenilyn Malicdem
The University of Baguio (UB) welcomed representatives from the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) for a benchmarking visit to the University’s Admission and Records Center (ARC), held at the UB Alumni AVR. The activity served as an avenue for sharing best practices, strengthening professional collaboration, and exchanging insights on quality-assured processes in admission and records management.
The benchmarking initiative was anchored on CCDC’s continuing efforts to strengthen its Quality Management System and educational processes, particularly in support of its implementation of the ISO 21001:2018 Educational Organizations Management System (EOMS). The visit provided an opportunity for CCDC representatives to learn from UB’s established practices in the delivery of admission and records services, documentation, process management, and quality assurance mechanisms.
Representing CCDC were: Dina Amdos – Registrar, Amilyn Pasking -Records officer and Maria Concepcion Saguid – Records officer. UB’s ARC Director Dr. Medardo Abarientos, shared relevant practices and insights on the operations and processes of the ARC. The benchmarking discussion highlighted the importance of well-defined procedures, systematic records management, effective document control, efficient process flow, and responsive client service in ensuring the consistent delivery of quality services to students and other stakeholders.
The Quality Assurance Office (QAO) also took part in the activity, with QAO Director Dr. Kareen B. Leon, QAO Review Staff Mr. Kristian Corpuz, and QAO Full Stack Developer Mr. Justin Marcus Andrada present to provide assistance and support on quality assurance matters. Their participation emphasized the University’s commitment to ensuring that institutional processes remain aligned with established quality standards, documented procedures, continual improvement initiatives, and the requirements of its management system.
The benchmarking activity further underscored the value of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among higher education institutions. Through the exchange of experiences and best practices, both institutions gained valuable perspectives that may contribute to improving their respective administrative processes and service delivery mechanisms.
For CCDC, the visit focused on gaining practical insights into UB’s practices in procedure manuals and documented processes, quality forms and records management, process flow and document control, client service delivery, quality assurance mechanisms, and other practices relevant to admission and records operations under ISO 21001:2018.
The presence of the QAO team also reinforced UB’s role in promoting a culture of quality, accountability, and continual improvement across the institution. By providing guidance on quality assurance matters, the QAO supported the benchmarking activity in ensuring that the sharing of institutional practices was viewed not only from an operational perspective but also through the lens of quality management, compliance, and sustainable institutional improvement.
The activity reflects UB’s continuing commitment to quality assurance, institutional excellence, and collaboration with fellow educational organizations. It also demonstrates the importance of benchmarking as a strategic tool for identifying effective practices, encouraging innovation, and strengthening systems that ultimately contribute to responsive and quality educational services.
The benchmarking visit also reflects the continuing partnership between CCDC and UB through the CCDC,UB, Baguio Central University (BCU) and Easter College. Management Exchange (CUBE ME), a collaborative initiative that brings together partner higher education institutions to promote shared best practices and strengthen cooperation in areas such as research, extension, and quality assurance. The partnership provides a meaningful platform for institutions to learn from one another and collectively advance academic excellence and institutional development.
In the 3rd C.U.B.E. Quarterly Meeting hosted by CCDC in November 2025, UB QAO Director Dr. Leon was among those who shared insights on strengthening quality assurance systems and internationalization, further demonstrating the active role of both institutions in fostering a culture of collaborative excellence. Thus, the benchmarking activity at the UB Alumni AVR further strengthens the spirit of CUBE ME by translating partnership into a concrete exchange of knowledge and quality assurance practices that can contribute to continuous institutional improvement.
Through initiatives such as this, UB continues to foster partnerships and professional exchanges that support the continuous enhancement of institutional processes. The benchmarking visit likewise affirms the University’s commitment to sharing knowledge and best practices while strengthening its own culture of quality and continuous improvement.
The activity is aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN-SDG) 4: Quality Education, as institutional quality assurance and effective administrative systems contribute to the delivery of responsive and learner-centered educational services. It also supports SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions by promoting accountability, transparency, effective governance, and systematic processes, as well as SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through inter-institutional collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
The benchmarking visit served as another meaningful step toward strengthening institutional quality systems and fostering a shared commitment to excellence among higher education institutions in the region. Through continued collaboration and the exchange of best practices, UB and CCDC contribute to the broader pursuit of quality, innovation, and sustainable improvement in education.
