Written by: Kristine Padong and Japhet Perez, SBAA Interns | Screengrab by: Mr. Kristian Corpuz, QAO Review Staff
In its continued pursuit of excellence, global competitiveness, and quality assurance, the University of Baguio (UB), through its Quality Assurance Office (QAO), conducted a successful online benchmarking activity with the City College of San Fernando Pampanga (CCSFP) on March 27, 2026. The session, held via Zoom, brought together 25 participants, including 10 representatives from UB—comprising directors, deans, and key staff—and 15 delegates from CCSFP, fostering a dynamic exchange of institutional best practices and internationalization strategies.
The benchmarking initiative was anchored on UB’s strong commitment to internationalization as a cross-cutting institutional priority. It aimed to strengthen collaboration and facilitate the exchange of best practices in areas such as global engagement, sustainability initiatives, university rankings, and institutional governance. Central to the discussions was UB’s comprehensive approach to internationalization—integrating global perspectives into curricula, syllabi, research, extension, and administrative systems—while aligning these with international standards and frameworks.
During the session, CCSFP representatives expressed keen interest in UB’s strategic internationalization frameworks, particularly its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its participation in global ranking and benchmarking platforms. UB demonstrated how internationalization is embedded across its academic and operational units, highlighting initiatives such as international partnerships and linkages, mobility programs, globally benchmarked curricula, research collaborations, and participation in international quality assurance and ranking systems. The discussion also underscored how UB aligns institutional and office-level targets with global development priorities, translating these into measurable outcomes that enhance both academic quality and institutional performance.
The UB representatives were QAO Director Kareen B. Leon, Linkages Office (LNK) Director Melanie Saro, School of Business Administration and Accountancy (SBAA) Dean John Balanquit, School of Information Technology (SIT) Dean Ellen Halover, LNK International Affairs Staff Angelica Tamayo, QAO Staff Katrine Dumling, who also served as the host, QAO Review Staff Kristian Corpuz, and Research, Innovation, Extension & Community Outreach (RIECO) staff Justine Mabalot. Each office articulated its strategic contributions to advancing UB’s internationalization agenda—demonstrating how coordinated efforts across units sustain global standards in instruction, research, extension, and institutional processes.
Despite the virtual format, the engagement was highly interactive and productive, enabling meaningful dialogue and active knowledge-sharing. UB’s presentation of its internationalization-driven quality assurance systems and globally aligned operational practices provided CCSFP with valuable insights into building internationally responsive and competitive higher education institutions.
Through the exchange, CCSFP participants conveyed a deeper appreciation of UB’s holistic approach to internationalization—integrating quality assurance, sustainability, and governance into a unified framework. The benchmarking activity further reinforced UB’s position as a leading higher education institution, serving as a model for institutions aspiring to elevate their global engagement and institutional performance.
Bridging Borders: Aligning Institutional Goals for Global Standards
The UB and CCSFP benchmarking engagement exemplifies the advancement of higher education through internationalization and contributes to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It strongly supports SDG 4: Quality Education, by embedding global perspectives into teaching, learning, and quality assurance systems, ensuring inclusive, equitable, and internationally benchmarked education. It also advances SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, by fostering innovation, professional development, and globally relevant competencies among faculty, staff, and graduates. Furthermore, the activity reinforces SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, as it strengthens international and national linkages, promotes collaborative initiatives, and facilitates knowledge exchange essential for sustainable and globally connected institutional development.
The benchmarking activity yielded valuable insights that will further enhance UB’s internationalization strategies and continuous improvement initiatives. It also opened avenues for expanded collaborations. Through engagements such as this, UB reaffirms its commitment to internationalization, innovation, and academic excellence—positioning itself as a globally competitive institution contributing meaningfully to sustainable development.
