“Our decision to carry out a surveillance audit reflects our commitment to institutional excellence and global competitiveness. We want to ensure that our systems are aligned with international standards and consistently meet the expectations of our stakeholders.”

These were the words of NEUST President Dr. Rhodora Jugo as she formally welcomed the ISO 9001:2015 1st Surveillance Audit during the opening meeting held today, November 18, 2025, at the Rico Fajardo Hall, NEUST Sumacab Campus.

The University is undergoing a two-day evaluation conducted by W3 Solutionz, represented by Lead Auditor Ms. Mary Glory C. Caunin and Ms. Khen O. David.

The surveillance audit focuses on the provisions of instruction, research, and extension services across all NEUST campuses, assessing the University’s adherence to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management Systems, including the review of documented information such as procedures and compliance records, as well as the University’s fulfillment of applicable statutory, legal, and other regulatory requirements.

The audit further aims to verify that the University’s management system fully conforms to ISO 9001:2015 standards, aligns with its organizational objectives and policies, ensures effective performance monitoring, maintains operational control of institutional processes, and implements internal auditing practices properly.

It also evaluates NEUST’s overall performance in terms of legal compliance, continuous improvement, and other essential criteria that support quality assurance and institutional excellence.

In her message, Lead Auditor Ms. Mary Glory Caunin emphasized that the audit’s purpose is not punitive but supportive.

“As your auditors, our role is to assist you in verifying conformance. We are not here to look for non-conformances; we are here to identify your compliances against ISO 9001:2015 and your other applicable legal requirements,” she said.

Recognizing the importance of continuous assessment, Dr. Jugo reflected on NEUST’s growth and how previous audits have played a significant role in strengthening the University’s systems.

“This surveillance audit is important in our ongoing journey of improvement to help us fine-tune our systems, highlight our strengths, and identify areas for growth,” she added.

Also present during the opening meeting were key university officials, including Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Feliciana Jacoba, Vice President for Administration, Business, and Finance Atty. Bembol Castillo, Quality Assurance Office Director Dr. Analyn Gamit, along with department deans, office directors, and other university leaders.

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