𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭, 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲

𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭, 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲

Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) marks another significant milestone in its continuing pursuit of academic excellence as it formally enters into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), granting the University the authority to conduct the Preliminary Self-Survey (PSV) of its academic programs. The landmark agreement ushers in a new chapter in TAU’s quality assurance journey, as the University is now entrusted with the responsibility of identifying and mobilizing its own pool of expert accreditors to undertake PSV activities.

Under the new arrangement, TAU is empowered to select qualified experts from within the University who will serve as accreditors and conduct the PSV independently. This marks a significant shift from the previous practice wherein AACCUP accreditors directly conducted the Preliminary Survey Visit. More than a change in procedure, the agreement reflects the confidence reposed in TAU’s institutional capacity, quality assurance systems, and pool of competent academic and administrative experts to uphold the standards expected in accreditation. It likewise positions the University as an active partner in strengthening a culture of continuous self-assessment and institutional improvement.

University President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson underscores the significance of the trust placed in TAU, emphasizing that the privilege carries with it an equally important responsibility. “This is more than an authority entrusted to the University; it is a testament to the confidence that AACCUP places in the capability and integrity of our people. We are being given the responsibility to look within, to assess our own programs with objectivity, and to help one another achieve a higher standard of quality,” Dr. Salunson shares. He further reiterates that the new responsibility calls for integrity, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement, noting that accreditation is not simply about compliance but about ensuring that every academic program remains responsive, relevant, and committed to excellence.

With this milestone, TAU further strengthens its institutional quality assurance mechanisms and demonstrates its growing capacity to contribute to the advancement of accreditation practices. The MOA not only recognizes the University’s readiness to assume a more active role in the accreditation process but also reinforces its commitment to building a community of competent internal experts who can help sustain quality across its academic programs.

As TAU moves forward with this newly entrusted responsibility, the University transforms self-assessment into a stronger instrument for institutional growth, affirming that quality is not merely evaluated from the outside, but is cultivated from within.

#SmartTAU #GreenandGlobal #AACCUP #SDG4 #SDG16 #SDG17 

Text | Johndel G. Dela Cruz [Information Unit]

Coordination | Marichelle G. Ramos [Office of Quality Assurance]

Graphics | Carol Jane B. Caragay [Information Unit]