CCDC, SMU Seal Partnership to Elevate Academic Quality and Institutional Standards

In its continuous pursuit of academic excellence and institutional development, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC), through its College of Business Education and Administration (CBEA), successfully conducted a Benchmarking Activity with Saint Mary’s University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, on March 25, 2026, culminating in the formal signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that establishes a strategic partnership focusing on strengthening institutional quality assurance, academic development, and collaborative mentoring initiatives.

The CCDC benchmarking delegation was led by Dean Rovelyn C. Antonio, Dean of the College of Business Education and Administration (CBEA), together with Dr. Marthyna Atinan, Planning and Development Officer, Ms. Jacqueline Acod, Quality Assurance Officer, Dr. Ayson D. Depayso, Program Coordinator for Tourism Management, and Ms. Shirley S. Sabiling, Program Coordinator for Hospitality Management. They were joined by the faculty members of the college, Ms. Faye S. Aranca, Ms. Jean T. Langan, Ms. Meriam Felix-Gapad, Ms. Venus E. Labbutan, and Hospitality Management student, Mr. Clint-Lee Kigues.

The team was warmly welcomed by Saint Mary’s University (SMU) community, led by Rev. Fr. Philip A. Yu Jr, CICM, Vice President for Mission and Identity, Dr. Moises Alexander T. Asuncion, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. John G. Tayaban, Vice President for Administration, and Dr. Regina D. Ramel, Dean of the School of Accountancy and Business, who expertly led the discourse on academic excellence and institutional standards.

The benchmarking visit aimed to provide CCDC administrators and academic leaders with the opportunity to learn from SMU’s established systems and best practices in program management, quality assurance, community engagement, learning resources, research development, and student services. Through structured discussions and institutional presentations, both institutions exchanged insights on curriculum enhancement, accreditation preparedness, and the implementation of quality standards aligned with national and international frameworks.

Central to the activity was the formalization of a quality assurance partnership between the two institutions. This partnership focuses on collaborative efforts such as mentoring to enhance internal quality assurance systems and governance, providing technical assistance for institutional and program-level quality assurance mechanisms, and facilitating the development of curriculum and instructional systems. Additionally, it includes mentoring and benchmarking sessions for CCDC’s administrators, faculty, and staff, research collaborations, and regular consultations to monitor progress and assess outcomes. The agreement aims to improve internal quality assurance systems in anticipation of accreditation, program evaluation, and institutional recognition.

This collaboration supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 4: Quality Education, focusing on benchmarking in areas such as teaching and learning, research, learning resources, and student services. It also supports SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals, showing that openness to other institutions bridges gaps in reaching academic excellence.

The benchmarking activity highlighted the commitment of both institutions to uphold academic integrity, enhance governance, and align educational programs with national and global standards. Through this partnership, CCDC aims to improve its academic offerings, ensuring students receive relevant and competitive outcomes-based education. They expressed support for ongoing collaboration, viewing it as a strategic move toward institutional growth and academic excellence. The initiative underscores the significance of inter-institutional cooperation in fostering a culture of quality, innovation, and continuous improvement in higher education.

Through this formal benchmarking and quality assurance partnership, CCDC continues to strengthen its commitment to delivering high-quality education and to developing graduates who are competent, globally competitive, and responsive to the demands of a dynamic academic and professional environment.

Written by: Rovelyn C Antonio, Dean, College of Business Education and Administration

Pictures: SMU PIO