Lipa City, Batangas – October 27, 2025. The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC), through its College of Information Technology, Entertainment, and Communication (CITEC), officially commenced its accreditation process with the Philippine Computing Society’s Information and Computing Accreditation Board (PICAB) during an opening ceremony held at the UBLC Trattoria Lipeña.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in UBLC’s continuing commitment to quality education, global competitiveness, and alignment with international computing standards set forth by the Seoul Accord, a multilateral agreement recognizing computing and IT-related programs across member countries.
The program began with Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Aurora P. Tolentino’s warm welcome to the PICAB Team, joined by University of Batangas Lipa City faculty, employees, and students.
In her message, University President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn expressed optimism and gratitude for the visit, describing the accreditation as a reflection of UB’s enduring mission since its founding in 1946 – to provide quality, accessible, and affordable education that contributes to nation-building. “Speaking of quality and continuous improvement, that is exactly why we do this. We invite accreditors, we sign up, and we try to understand if what we are doing is correct, if we are on track,” she stated. “This is one of our big initiatives, and we are very excited. It’s a good idea to give a birthday gift to the university as we approach our 80th anniversary next year.”
Representing PICAB, Team Chair Ms. Josephine M. de la Cuesta elaborated on the organization’s goals and objectives, highlighting its collaborative nature and global vision. “Our goal really is to ensure that all graduates of computing programs in the Philippines are at par with graduates from other countries – particularly Seoul Accord member nations such as the U.S., Canada, South Korea, and Hong Kong,” she said. “We are here to evaluate, observe, and help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring that your programs meet international standards.”
During the two-day visit, the PICAB evaluation team is set to conduct interviews with key administrators, faculty, students, and industry partners, alongside classroom observations and document reviews. The team will also provide initial observations before submitting their formal findings for institutional feedback and follow-up.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Mayling I. Capuno, Dean of CITEC, described the accreditation as a defining chapter in the college’s young history. “CITEC is a very young college – we started in 2019. Being young, we are hungry to learn. The PICAB visit is our adolescence, a vital stage for growth. Please help us learn, please help us grow,” she said.
As UB Lipa moves closer toward full PICAB accreditation, the university reaffirms its mission to shape globally competent graduates who embody its core values – Faith in God, Love of Wisdom, and Service to Fellowmen. This initiative represents a step toward global recognition and a reaffirmation of the university’s legacy of excellence and commitment to quality education in the ever-evolving field of computing and information technology.
PICAB was established by the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) – the country’s oldest IT professional organization and a provisional member of the Seoul Accord since 2015 – alongside its partners, the Computing Society of the Philippines (CSP), Philippine Society of IT Educators (PSITE) Foundation, and the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA). The board continues to elevate computing education in the Philippines through accreditation processes that assess graduate attributes, faculty competence, industry linkages, and institutional outcomes – further ensuring that the nation’s computing graduates meet global standards of excellence.