By Karren Jay G. Asgar & Mikee N. Norico

CPU marks a significant step toward educational excellence and global quality standards as administrators, key stakeholders, internal quality auditors, and ISO external auditors pose for a group photo following the successful completion of the Stage 2 Audit for ISO 21001:2018 certification conducted by TQCSI Philippines.

Central Philippine University (CPU) has been recommended for certification under the Education Organization Management System (EOMS) ISO 21001:2018 standard by the Total Quality Certification Services International (TQCSI). The recommendation came after the successful completion of a two-stage audit process conducted on June 10 to 11 and July 7 to 8, 2025.

The Stage 2 Audit included both rigorous onsite and remote audits, comprising a thorough document reviews and assessments across various units.

“During the exit conference on the afternoon of July 8, we were recommended for ISO 21001:2018 certification,” Dr. Anna May Zerrudo, Director of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center (QAAC) shared in an interview.

As part of the 2nd-stage audit, CPU’s Internal Quality Auditors were present to ensure alignment with internal quality standards and observe the overall conduct of the audit.

“We have now transitioned to EOMS ISO 21001:2018, which is the ISO certification specifically designed for educational organizations. This transition allows us to align our processes with CHED’s requirements and improve our institutional operations,” Dr. Zerrudo added.

Notably, the objectives of the audit are to determine the conformance of the management system with the relevant standards and system documentation; evaluate the ability of the system to meet applicable statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements; assess the overall effectiveness of the management system; and identify opportunities for improvement within the system. Additionally, the scope of the certification covers the provision of educational and administrative support services.

“CPU values external validation to ensure that we are doing things correctly and to identify areas for improvement,” Dr. Zerrudo remarked.

With the recommendation in place, CPU continues to uphold its commitment to academic excellence and operational integrity through internationally recognized quality standards.