University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
UST-Legazpi has reached another milestone in its commitment to academic and institutional excellence, becoming the first and only university in the region with a Quality Educational Organization Management System (QEOMS) – an Integrated Management System – certified in both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018. This milestone reaffirms the university’s commitment to quality education and institutional excellence, ensuring a structured and effective learning environment that aligns with international standards.
A Commitment to Quality Education
Building on its existing QMS under ISO 9001:2015, UST-Legazpi seamlessly integrated the EOMS framework, further strengthening its systems to enhance the learning experience. The university is honored to be the only institution in the Bicol region to achieve QEOMS with ISO 21001:2018 certification, a milestone made possible by its longstanding culture of quality and continuous improvement.
On June 26, 2024, UST-Legazpi introduced the ISO 21001:2018 standard under the leadership of Engr. Angelica C. Fraginal. Administrators, supervisors, program chairs, and internal quality auditors participated in an orientation and workshop to understand its principles and implementation. By September 6, 2024, a university-wide orientation, facilitated by the Office of Planning and Development, provided employees with the necessary knowledge to incorporate the EOMS framework into their respective areas.
Strengthening Quality Assurance Measures
To support the transition, an Internal Audit Training was conducted from September 23–25, 2024, at the St. John Macias Pavilion Hall A. Led by Engr. Fraginal, the training covered key auditing principles and procedures, culminating in a live audit exercise and certification exam. The session concluded with remarks from Rev. Fr. Junel C. Pedroso, OP, LPT, STHL/MA, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, emphasizing the value of continuous growth in education quality.
On November 29, 2024, the university’s top management and the Quality Management Committee convened for a Management Review, ensuring the EOMS framework aligned with institutional goals. This was followed by the formal establishment of the EOMS Organizational Structure on December 10, 2024, where key roles such as Quality Management Officers, Internal Auditors, Functional Area Coordinators, and Records Custodians were designated under the guidance of Sr. Ma. Angie Rose Panganiban, OP, LPT, MAEd, Executive Secretary of the Rector and President, and Ms. Angelica R. Sajuela, LPT, the Director of the Office of Planning and Development.
The Certification Process
UST-Legazpi underwent a thorough audit process with confidence, given its well-established quality assurance practices. On December 13, 2024, the university welcomed Mr. Joel Portugal from Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) for the Stage 1 Audit of the EOMS certification and QMS recertification. The audit was completed with zero critical findings, demonstrating the institution’s readiness.
The Stage 2 Certification Audit took place from January 13–17, 2025, with SGS auditors Mr. Joel Portugal and Mr. Arnold Dizon conducting a comprehensive evaluation of academic departments, administrative units, and student services. With established systems already in place, the certification process was a smooth transition. Following the successful audit, the auditors recommended UST-Legazpi for certification and recertification, confirming that the university met all ISO standards.
Recognizing the Achievement
The official conferment of the EOMS Certification and QMS Recertification reflects UST-Legazpi’s steadfast commitment to quality education. The certificates were formally presented during a meeting held on March 12, 2025 at the Office of the Rector and President, attended by Rev. Fr. Siddharta B. Chiong, OP, LPT, PhL/MA, the Assistant to the Rector and President, Sr. Ma. Angie Rose Panganiban, OP, LPT, MAEd, Executive Secretary of the Rector and President, Rev. Fr. Junel C. Pedroso, Vice President for Administration and Finance, and Ms. Angelica R. Sajuela, the Director of Office of Planning and Development marking an important milestone in the university’s journey toward continuous improvement.
This achievement is the result of the collaborative efforts of the university administration, faculty, staff, and students, led by Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, OP, MM, DBA, who remain dedicated to upholding excellence in education. As the first and only university in the region with a Quality Educational Organization Management System (QEOMS) – an Integrated Management System – certified in both ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018, UST-Legazpi continues to enhance its quality systems, demonstrating that a commitment to excellence is at the heart of its mission.