The National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) participated in the second day of the Institutional Strategic Program for Innovation, Research, and Education (INSPIRE) Part 2: Strengthening Systems on 29 July 2026 at Malcolm Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman. The program focused on integrating strategic planning, risk management, and quality assurance to strengthen institutional systems and advance the University's strategic priorities.
Participating in the program were NIGS Deputy Director for Academic Affairs Dr. Jillian Aira S. Gabo-Ratio, General Education (GE) Coordinator Dr. Leo T. Armada, Administrative Officer Ms. Kristine M. Velasquez, and members of the NIGS Quality Assurance (QA) Team: School Credits Evaluator Ms. Karen G. Arcangel, University Research Associate Mr. Miguel Joven E. Villanueva, and Junior Research Associate Ms. Romarie Aurly T. Ramos.
The breakout workshop reviewed the Office Performance Commitment Review (OPCR) – Strategic Functions (2027–2029) and Enterprise Operations Management System (EOMS) Risk Assessment Registry. Discussions covered major final outputs, programs, activities, and projects (MFOs/PAPs), performance indicators, budget requirements, accountability, and risk assessment based on SWOT analysis, stakeholder needs, and critical processes. Participants also evaluated the plans using six key dimensions: strategy and alignment, SWOT and STEEPLE linkages, SMART-RED goal-setting, resource allocation, implementation, and risk-informed planning.
The plenary explored the role of quality assurance in strengthening higher education institutions and ensuring their relevance to students, employers, and society. Discussions examined the evolution of quality assurance, its guiding principles, benefits, challenges, and the emerging role of microcredentials. Speakers underscored its contribution to maintaining academic standards, promoting accountability, fostering continuous improvement, sustaining public trust, and enhancing international recognition.
The INSPIRE Workshop Evaluation identified both strengths and opportunities for improvement across participating units. While strong alignment with SMART-RED principles emerged as a common strength, recurring concerns included infrastructure constraints, budget uncertainty, aging facilities and equipment, and the need for closer integration of quality assurance with strategic planning. Recommendations included formalizing risk treatment measures, strengthening college-wide strategic alignment, and refining SMART-RED targets.
The program concluded with Dr. Aura C. Matias presenting a synthesis of the participating units' three-year strategic plans under the theme "Strong People, Constrained Systems." The presentation recognized the units' strategic alignment, clear SWOT and STEEPLE linkages, resilient personnel, and systematic service delivery, while identifying continuing challenges related to manpower and plantilla limitations, funding, facilities, digital infrastructure, and the completion of SMART-RED and risk management processes. Priority actions included strengthening workforce planning and succession, expanding capacity-building initiatives, diversifying funding sources, investing in physical and digital infrastructure, formalizing risk treatment, and institutionalizing quality assurance through updated policies, manuals of operations, records management, and QA standards.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Maria Vanessa P. Lusung-Oyzon emphasized that effective strategic planning requires adequate resources, risk-informed implementation, and a sustained commitment to quality assurance and continuous improvement.
The program also featured announcements on upcoming quality assurance initiatives, including the QAHusayan Fair 2026, to be held on 7–11 September 2026 at the Pilar Herrera Hall and AS Lobby, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, and INSPIRE Part 3: Advancing Quality, which is scheduled for September 2026. The activity reaffirmed the University's commitment to collaboration, continuous improvement, and a culture of quality.