SU College of Education benchmarks with Centers of Excellence to strengthen Teacher Education — Photo 1

The Silliman University College of Education (SUCoE) conducted a benchmarking visit to three Centers of Excellence in Teacher Education in Metro Manila on October 22-24 to strengthen its academic programs and quality assurance practices, and broaden its Teacher Education Institution linkages and partnerships.

Led by SUCoE Dean Dr. Gina F. Bonior, the delegation visited the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) College of Education, the Philippine Normal University (PNU) College of Teacher Development, and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Education.

The institutions were selected following the Teacher Education Council’s (TEC) designation of new Centers of Excellence in Teacher Education on September 30, 2026. The TEC recognized five National Centers of Excellence and eight Regional Centers of Excellence after a rigorous evaluation process. UPD and PNU were among the national centers, while UST was among the regional centers.

The benchmarking activity enabled the SUCoE delegation to engage with academic leaders and faculty members, examine established practices, and identify approaches that could strengthen instruction, research, extension, academic leadership, and program management.

Joining Dr. Bonior were Teacher Education Department Chairperson Dr. Jasper Eric C. Catan; Physical Education Department Chairperson Asst. Prof. Ricardo C. Nanggan, Jr.; Instruction Coordinator Asst. Prof. Dubhe F. Estallo; Research Coordinator Dr. Jin H. Genove; and Extension Coordinator Asst. Prof. Shemdaryl S. Medez; and Early Childhood Education and Special Needs Education faculty. 

Dr. Marie Grace Gomez, OIC Dean of the UP Diliman College of Education and Director of the Diliman Learning Resource Center, welcomes the Silliman University College of Education delegation and shares best practices in curriculum development and research.
Dr. Marie Grace Gomez, OIC Dean of the UP Diliman College of Education and Director of the Diliman Learning Resource Center, welcomes the Silliman University College of Education delegation and shares best practices in curriculum development and research.

At UPD, the delegation met with Officer-in-Charge Dean Dr. Marie Grace Gomez, College Secretary Dr. Marie Grace Reoperez, and Dr. Frances Olivia Magtoto of the Special Needs Education Program.

At PNU, the team met with CTD Dean Dr. Gladys Nivera; the associate deans of the college’s four faculties; Linkages and International Office Director Prof. Bryan C. Dayuta; Curriculum Management and Instructional Materials Office (CMIMO) Director and former CTD Dean Dr. Ruth A. Alido; and other CTD faculty members.

Dr. Gladys C. Nivera (third from left), dean of the Philippine Normal University–Manila College of Teacher Development, leads university officials in welcoming the SUCoE benchmarking delegation. Joining her are (back, from left) Dr. Joel C. Malabanan, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature; Dr. Niño D. Naldoza, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education and Information Sciences; Prof. Bryan C. Dayuta, Director of the PNU Linkages and International Office; and (front, rightmost) Dr. Ruth A. Alido, Director of the Curriculum Management and Instructional Materials Office.
Dr. Gladys C. Nivera (third from left), dean of the Philippine Normal University–Manila College of Teacher Development, leads university officials in welcoming the SUCoE benchmarking delegation. Joining her are (back, from left) Dr. Joel C. Malabanan, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Literature; Dr. Niño D. Naldoza, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education and Information Sciences; Prof. Bryan C. Dayuta, Director of the PNU Linkages and International Office; and (front, rightmost) Dr. Ruth A. Alido, Director of the Curriculum Management and Instructional Materials Office.

At UST, the delegation met with College of Education Dean Dr. Pilar I. Romero; Elementary Education Chair Angelica F. Morales; Secondary Education Dept Chair Dr. Ma. Corazon S. Sauz; College Sec Prof. Alvin Ringgo C. Reyes; Former Elementary Education Dept Chair Dr. Carmina Vicente; and former Teacher Education Department Chair and Student Teaching supervisor Dr. Julio Andres Santiago. 

Dr. Pilar I. Romero (second from left), dean of the University of Santo Tomas College of Education, shares best practices in educational management, research, and student services with the SUCoE delegation. Joining her is Dr. Maria Corazon S. Sauz (left), chairperson of the Secondary Education Department.
Dr. Pilar I. Romero (second from left), dean of the University of Santo Tomas College of Education, shares best practices in educational management, research, and student services with the SUCoE delegation. Joining her is Dr. Maria Corazon S. Sauz (left), chairperson of the Secondary Education Department.

The SUCoE faculty also visited UST’s Laboratory School, Child Development Center, and College of Education Library, as well as the UP Diliman College of Education’s Learning Resource Room for Inclusive Education.

The benchmarking visit reinforces the College’s focus on continuous quality improvement, evidence-informed decision-making, and responsive teacher education. Through institutional learning and partnerships, SUCoE aims to strengthen its programs and contribute to the advancement of teacher education beyond its campus.

(Contributed by Dr. Jasper Eric Catan)