The Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC), successfully conducted the Special Regional Program on “Quality Assurance of TVET Institutions through Accreditation” from May 19 to 23, 2025, at the CPSC headquarters in Pasig City, Philippines. In conjunction with the training, the APACC Strategic Planning for 2025–2028 was also held during the same period.
The program brought together 17 participants, composed of TVET directors, institutional managers, heads of quality assurance bodies, policymakers, and high officials from CPSC member countries.
Playing a vital role in ensuring that the TVET institutions in the Asia-Pacific region are competitive enough in addressing the perpetually growing demands of the local and global arena, CPSC and APACC put premium on Quality Assurance as a key indicator in monitoring the performance and in ensuring the achievement of quality outputs from their partner institutions.
Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, CPSC Director General and APACC President (center), delivers his opening remarks. Seated beside him are Prof. Naeem Yaqoob, CPSC Faculty Specialist (left), and Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Faculty Consultant and Program Coordinator (right).
The program formally commenced with an opening ceremony, wherein Prof. Naeem Yaqoob, CPSC Faculty Specialist and Program Co-Coordinator, delivered the welcome remarks while Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Faculty Consultant and Program Coordinator, presented the overview of the program. Following this, Prof Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja, CPSC Director General and APACC President, extended his welcome greetings to everyone during his opening remarks. In his speech, he also emphasized the importance of accreditation in building trust, ensuring accountability, and fostering a culture of improvement within the TVET institutions.
Prof. Dr. Dhameja delivers his special lecture during the first day of the Special Regional Program
To start the five-day program, a special lecture on “Quality Assurance in TVET through APACC Accreditation” was delivered by the APACC President, Prof. Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja. Meanwhile, key sessions throughout the week focused on global concepts and challenges in TVET quality assurance, 21st century TVET practices, sustainability and social equity in accreditation standards, and framework development for TVET quality assurance.
The participants also conducted a study visit to the TESDA Women’s Center, an APACC-accredited institution and Platinum-level awardee, where they observed best practices in quality assurance and inclusive TVET delivery.
Furthermore, the review of APACC Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and the new APACC Strategic Plan 2025-2028 were integrated into the program’s workshop sessions. The discussions were facilitated by Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen and Prof. Naeem Yaqoob, in collaboration with the participants. Following a series of insightful discussions and constructive deliberations, the APACC Strategic Plan 2025-2028 was officially finalized and will be endorsed to the Governing Board.
During the closing ceremony, selected participants shared their reflections from the five-day program. Prof. Naeem then provided the program summary to recap the important points to remember especially for the TVET institutions who are vying to upgrade their current accreditation status.
Dr. Kesavan also extended his gratitude in his Vote of Thanks for taking the time to attend the regional program. A certificate was given to the attendees as well to showcase CPSC and APACC’s appreciation for the former’s renewed commitment to the accreditation program.
Prof. Dr. Dhameja concludes the program with his closing remarks
The activity concluded with the closing remarks from Prof. Dr. Dhameja wherein he challenged all the participants to step up, and bring their best foot forward in transforming their respective organizations into globally competitive and highly sustainable TVET institutions.
