Saint Louis University’s (SLU) School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) welcomed the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBoA) for an inspection and monitoring of the University’s compliance with the quality guidelines of the Republic Act No. 9266, also known as “The Architecture Act of 2004,” on 19 September 2024 at the SLU Main Campus.
Hon. Robert S. Sac, PRBoA Chairman, and Hon. Corazon V. Fabia-Tandoc, PRBoA member, conducted the physical inspection. With them were Professional Regulation Commission-Cordillera Administrative Region (PRC-CAR) Regional Director Juanita L. Domogen and Ivy G. Gayon, PRC-CAR representative.
The officials were welcomed by Engr. Caroline M. Bautista, Associate Dean of SLU SEA; Ar. Nestor J. Lazaga, Department Head of Architecture; Ar. Melissa C. Patano, former Department Head of Architecture; Ar. Jorden A. Bayacsan, part-time faculty member; with the support of Riane Kenneth G. Gengania, Quality Assurance Assistant of the SLU Office of Institutional Development and Quality Assurance Office.
The purpose of the visit was to ensure the quality of education being provided, to check if the program’s facilities comply with the standards, and to evaluate the professionalism and ethics of the practitioners.
The PRBoA initiated a comprehensive investigation to assess the quality assurance of the school’s BS Architecture program. This evaluation considered key factors such as the program’s licensure exam passing rates, facilities, and curriculum, among others. Beyond conducting a routine review, the PRBoA sought to gain insights from SLU’s effective strategies for delivering exceptional learning opportunities to its students, facilitated through an in-person campus visit. They explored the Otto Hahn Building to assess the architectural design of the infrastructure. They inspected the high-valued facilities and laboratories including the Fabrication Laboratory-CAR, Architecture Faculty Room, Model-Making and Exhibit Room, and the SLU SEA classrooms that play an important role in calibrating the learning experience of Louisian architecture students. PRB-Architecture members also observed the classroom management system of the faculty involved.
The laboratories of SLU-SEA’s Architecture Program were praised for the high-functioning resources, ideal in strengthening the students’ innovative learning environment.
The PRBoA underscored that the assessment through the inspection is not for the purpose of finding deficiencies in an existing system. “The intention is basically, first and foremost, we would like to see things that we may be able to learn from you,” Hon. Robert S. Sac said in line with evaluating the program’s conducive approach. Associate Dean of SEA, Engr. Bautista guaranteed that “SLU is committed to providing quality education,” and they are willing to learn and adapt the best practices of PRC to further improve the administration of the BS Architecture program through the visit.
As one of the institution’s strong bearers of brand excellence, SLU-SEA continues to enhance its BS Architecture program’s capacity to produce esteemed architects through time. SLU-SEA’s symposium with the PRB-Architecture officials proves the Louisians’ commitment in interconnecting with diverse groups and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically under Quality Education (SDG 4), Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). (Article by Andreanna Martin, UIO Intern | Photos by Katrina Garcia, UIO Intern)
