In today’s competitive academic landscape, it has become increasingly important for higher education institutions (HEIs) to optimize their processes and uphold the highest quality standards. To address the challenges faced by HEIs and offer proven strategies to enhance productivity and quality assurance in various educational practices, a free webinar was organized jointly by the Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness (CIPC) and the graduate students of IR 202 – Organizations and Work, under Dr. Virgel Binghay of the University of the Philippines-School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP-SOLAIR).

Over 200 participants gathered via a teleconference on June 20, 2023, with great anticipation to learn from the invited industry experts, Dr. Gerardo Largoza of De La Salle University (DLSU) and Dr. Bernadette Enriquez of the University of Caloocan (UCC). Both experts provided valuable insights applicable to both public and private educational institutions. Each speaker offered a unique perspective and approach, showcasing their experience managing productivity and quality in their organizations.  

The webinar shed light on the evolution of academia in its complexity and rapidly evolving nature, along with its various challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transformation of higher academic institutions, particularly in technological advancement. Dr. Largoza shared the arduous process of embracing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project, the Banner Initiative to Transform, Unify, Integrate, and Navigate (BITUIN), in the digital operations of DLSU. The goal of implementing BITUIN was to boost productivity by digitalizing and centralizing all the information and databases of the university to streamline processes within the institution. On the other hand, Dr. Enriquez shared the struggles and coping strategies of the UCC in transitioning to online learning platforms and digital study materials during the pandemic.

Another challenging theme that both speakers touched upon was funding and financial pressures. Many academic institutions face funding challenges, with limited resources for research, infrastructure, and external support services. Limited funding, rising tuition fees, and increasing competition have impacted the quality and accessibility of education. In line with the aforementioned conditions, Dr. Largoza emphasized that there is far more pressure to enhance productivity and ensure quality than ever before. Dr. Enriquez shared that institutions must also seek innovative funding models and partnerships to sustain their operations, as exemplified by the partnership between UCC and key local government officials.

The presenters effectively conveyed their perspectives on quality assurance within their respective organizations. Dr. Largoza’s presentation was highly informative and technical, blending theoretical and practical approaches. On the other hand, Dr. Enriquez primarily focused on the history of UCC and how political factors shaped its current state, providing gripping narratives on the evolution and inner workings of UCC.

During the Q&A portions, the speakers proficiently answered thought-provoking questions from the participants. The webinar was made possible with the technical aid of Mr. Arman Mangilinan, a CIPC staff. In the aftermath, the webinar was concluded to be exciting and insightful, with a very positive evaluation from the participants.