SOCOTEC hails BukSU for hurdling ISO remote audit  

MALAYBALAY CITY  (14 August 2020) Experts from SOCOTEC Certification Philippines congratulated Bukidnon State University for its compliance to its quality management systems based on the standards of ISO 9001-2015.

Ms.  Ella Riza N. Ajero, lead auditor from SOCOTEC, told BukSU officials during the closing program today that the university incurred no “non-conformities” (NCs). This means the university has remained ISO 9001-2015 certified.

Ajero and another auditor, Ms. Czharina Buaqueńa held a two-day remote audit of the university’s implementation of its QMS via virtual sessions on Zoom.

The auditors cited four positive findings including the “highly evident” ISO culture and commitment of the top management and process owners. The auditors also cited the university’s response and initiatives related with the COVID-19, which it extended to the community.

SOCOTEC auditors also commended that the College of Education and College of Law as well as the Research and Extension units were “competent, well-prepared and knowledgeable” about their processes. The three units were among those sampled for audit. Auditors also checked on the top management, the document controllers, procurement procedures and the internal quality audit of the university.

Auditors commended the over-all preparation for the remote audit, including the video presentation for the facilities and building and states.

Auditors cited four opportunities for improvement (OFIs) including the timing of the conduct of its internal audit.

Through they cited no NCs, auditors noted six observations, which SOCOTEC recommended for BukSU to address including the evaluation of the effectiveness of actions for some identified significant risks.

BukSU officials and personnel welcomed the findings.

Dr. Oscar B. Cabańelez, university president, commended the efforts of the BukSU community and the auditors as well. He said in his charge at the closing program that he will continue to fully support the next steps of the university’s  quest for quality and excellence.

Mr. Dante S. Victoria Jr, VP for Administration, Planning and Development and con-current Quality Management Representative (QMR) noted that BukSU hurdled the feat because the university’s workforce are pursuing excellence.

SOCOTEC, formerly Anglo Japanese American (AJA) Registrars, has assessed and registered against the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 standards the Quality Management Systems of BukSU in August 30, 2017. BukSU obtained its Certificate No. AJA-17-0082 after a series of audits since 2016. The university obtained its ISO 9001-2015 certification in 2018.

The ISO 9001 certification process works to ensure organizations like higher education institutions (HEIs) to continuously provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

In 2006, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Executive Order 605 institutionalizing the structure, mechanisms and standards to implement the government quality management program. State universities and colleges were enjoined to establish ISO-Quality Management Systems and be certified. (Walter I. Balane/OP-Information and Publication Service)