By Mikee Natinga Norico

Dr. Althea U. Denuevo, Assistant Dean of the School of Graduate Studies (3rd from L), receives the 1st Place award for Excellence in Research and Innovation alongside CPU Administrators during the Pagdayaw 2025 Quality Awards.

Central Philippine University (CPU), through its Quality Assurance and Accreditation Center, recognized outstanding academic and administrative units during the Pagdayaw 2025 Quality Awards held on August 5, 2025, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. The awards were conferred as part of the annual Faculty and Staff Conference, highlighting excellence, innovation, and institutional commitment to CPU’s mission, vision, and core values.

Dr. Anna May A. Yap-Zerrudo, Director of the Quality Assurance Center, and Associate Director Prof. Sharlene Gotico emphasized that Pagdayaw—a Hiligaynon word meaning “honor” or “celebration of excellence”—is CPU’s way of recognizing units that consistently embody a culture of continuous quality improvement (CQI). The awards acknowledged programs and offices that excelled in research, internationalization, extension services, inclusive education, and other institutional priorities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Ma. Corazon Perucho-Porras, Dean of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (3rd from L), receives the Excellence in Community Engagement and Linkages Award together with CPU Administrators during the Pagdayaw 2025 Quality Awards.

Prof. Ma. Medalla Baliao, Dean of the College of Hospitality Management (3rd from L), receives the 1st Place award for Excellence in Internationalization Implementation together with CPU Administrators during the Pagdayaw 2025 Quality Awards.

The following academic and administrative units were recognized under each award category:

Excellence in Research and Innovation

The Excellence in Peace Education Implementation Award recognizes academic units that demonstrate exceptional commitment to promoting a culture of peace, nonviolence, justice, and mutual respect through education.

🏅 1st Place: School of Graduate Studies
🥈 2nd Place: College of Medical Laboratory Science
🥉 3rd Place: College of Engineering

 Excellence in Community Engagement and Linkages

This award recognizes initiatives that embody the university’s mission of meaningful service and social transformation, while fostering mutual learning, capacity-building, and sustainable development.

🏅 1st Place: College of Medical Laboratory Science
🥈 2nd Place: College of Education
🥉 3rd Place (tie): College of Engineering and College of Medicine

Excellence in Internationalization Implementation

The award recognizes academic units that have demonstrated excellence in advancing the university’s internationalization goals through strategic, innovative, and impactful initiatives.

🏅 1st Place: College of Hospitality Management
🥈 2nd Place: College of Education
🥉 3rd Place: College of Engineering

Excellence in Inclusive Education

This award recognizes units that demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity, by developing and implementing initiatives that support students with special needs and Indigenous Peoples (IPs).

🏅 1st Place: Kindergarten
🥈 2nd Place: College of Education
🥉 3rd Place: College of Nursing

Excellence in Peace Education

This award recognizes academic units that demonstrate exceptional commitment to promoting a culture of peace, nonviolence, justice, and mutual respect through education.

🏅 1st Place: College of Education
🥈 2nd Place: College of Hospitality Management
🥉 3rd Place: Kindergarten

Program Quality Awards

Programs were also recognized for their accreditation milestones:

PAASCU Level III Accreditation:

• BS Agriculture – College of Agriculture, Resources, and Environmental Sciences (CARES)
• BS Nursing – College of Nursing

PAASCU Level II Accreditation:

• BS Computer Science, BS Information Technology – College of Computer Studies
• BS Electronics Engineering – College of Engineering

ACSCU-ACI Level II Accreditation:

• Doctor of Management, Master in Public Administration – School of Graduate Studies
• BS Psychology – College of Arts and Sciences

 Qualified for Level I Accreditation (Preliminary Visit Completed):

• BS Entrepreneurship, BS Management Accounting – College of Business and Accountancy

PACUCOA Level I Accreditation:

• BS Medical Laboratory Science – College of Medical Laboratory Science

Special Citations

Several units and programs were given special citations for their outstanding contributions:

• Innovation and Technopreneurship: CPUGAD TBI
• Advancing THE Impact Ranking Initiatives:
• CARES and the Philippine Native Chicken Center – for commitment to SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• God’s Grace Program – SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• Work-Student Study Program – SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 4: Quality Education
• CPU Birthing Center – SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The Pagdayaw 2025 Quality Awards not only celebrate achievement but also inspire the CPU community to uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, innovation, and service. As the university continues to nurture globally competent and socially responsible individuals, these recognitions affirm CPU’s enduring commitment to quality education and nation-building.