Population Institute

UPPI faculty and staff visit universities in Thailand for benchmarking activities

A group photo was taken with IPSR’s Director, Dr. Chalermpol Chamchan, alongside the Institute’s Deputy Directors, and retired Prof. Chai Podhista.

The University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) recently conducted a Best Practice Benchmarking activity from September 26 to 27, 2024 with universities in Thailand that offer graduate degree programs in Demography and Population Studies. The academic visit was attended by seven faculty members and four research and administrative staff, led by Dr. Elma P. Laguna, UPPI Director, and Prof. Maria Paz N. Marquez, UPPI Quality Assurance Officer.

This strategic initiative is part of UPPI’s Quality Assurance (QA) efforts, which began in 2018 with a review of its Master of Arts in Demography (MADEM) curriculum. In 2021, UPPI completed the program’s Self-Assessment Report (SAR) using ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) guidelines. The following year, international expert assessors were invited for an external quality assurance (EQA) review. The Population Institute, under the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy is the only institution in the Philippines offering graduate programs in Demography and Population Studies. Thus, the EQA assessors emphasized the importance of a formal benchmarking exercise with institutions offering similar degree programs.

The delegation’s first stop was the Institute for Population and Social Research (IPSR) at Mahidol University. The benchmarking began with a guided campus tour in the morning, providing a unique opportunity to explore the university's facilities and infrastructure.

Photos taken during the guided campus tour. Left: the Mahidol University shuttle bus; Center: Walking toward Prince Mahidol Hall, one of the university's iconic structures; Right: a group photo taken at the traditional Thai
house, a popular spot for students to relax during their free time.

Photos taken inside the IPSR building. Left: the IPSR library; Upper right: IPSR staff enjoying a game of table tennis and darts during their lunch break; Lower right: UPPI faculty meeting Dr. Chai Podhisita at the IPSR canteen during the lunch 'salu-salo'.

Left: Dr. Grace T. Cruz and Dr. Elma P. Laguna conversing with Dr. Chamchan; Center: Dr. Elma P. Laguna introducing the UPPI faculty and staff; Right: UPPI faculty with Mahidol Migration Center Director Dr. Sureeporn Punpuing.

The tour concluded with a visit to the IPSR building, which included their library, canteen, classrooms, and recreational facilities. Additionally, UPPI faculty and staff had the chance to meet Dr. Chai Podhista, with whom UPPI has previously collaborated on various research projects.

Following the tour, a sharing session was held where both institutions presented key details about their respective organizations. Dr. Chalermpol Chamchan, Director, led the discussion for IPSR, while Dr. Laguna and Dr. C Joy P. Cruz introduced UPPI and its academic programs.

Group photo taken after the presentation of academic programs, with Dr. Rukchanok Karcharnubarn, Dean of the College of Population Studies (center, seated), alongside faculty members on the left. Photo credit: Chulalongkorn University - College of Population Studies.

The second and final stop of the benchmarking activity was the College of Population Studies (CPS) at Chulalongkorn University (CU). Established in the 1960s, both UPPI and CU-CPS offer master’s degrees in Demography, making them ideal benchmarking partners. This collaboration not only highlights their shared history but also provides a valuable opportunity to exchange regional experiences and best practices in demography and population studies in Southeast Asia.

Dr. Kacharnubarn, Dean of CPS, was the first to present. She introduced the College and its faculty members, followed by a discussion of the academic programs led by Dr. Sukontamarn. After their presentations, Dr. Kacharnubarn invited the UPPI faculty and staff to tour the CPS facilities, including the training venue where Dr. Sergei Scherbov was currently conducting his annual intensive course on Demographic Analysis with Applications to Aging and Health. Some of the UPPI faculty members who are alumni of the training were especially delighted to reunite with him during the facilities immersion.

Left: Drs. Pataporn Sukontamarn and Nopphawan Photphisutthiphong at Mandarin Hotel to accompany the UPPI faculty and staff going to Chulalongkorn University - College of Population Studies; Right: formal meeting with CU-CPS Dean Rukchanok Kacharnubarn along with other faculty members.

Photo taken during the informal meeting with Dr. Sergei Scherbov during the CU facilities immersion. Photo credit: Chulalongkorn University - College of Population Studies.

Upper left: CU Social Innovation Hub; Upper right: CU Main Library Media Production Room; Lower left: CU Main Library orientation; Lower right: CU library staff showcasing free blood pressure reading services for library visitors.

Photo credit: Chulalongkorn University - College of Population Studies.

In the afternoon, the UPPI faculty presented the academic programs and ongoing research projects of the Institute, followed by an open forum to share best practices from each university. This mutual exchange of academic and administrative experiences holds great potential for establishing international partnerships for future collaborations and research initiatives.

The day concluded with another guided campus tour, during which the Institute was pleased to explore the CU main library, including its book collections, state-of-the-art facilities, and student-friendly spaces. The visit ended at the Chula Student Wellness Center, where CU counselors provided an overview of the services available to students and staff related to their physical and mental well-being. They also highlighted the challenges faced by international students at the university.

UPPI faculty with Ms. Jean Paula Regulano (left, 2022 MPOPS graduate) and Ms. Rea Jean Tabaco (right, 2015 MPOPS graduate).

The benchmarking exercises with MU-IPSR and CU-CPS provided an opportunity for UPPI to learn from similar institutions in the region. This proactive initiative is a testament to the Institute's commitment to enhancing the quality of its programs. Insights gained from this experience will be integrated to improve UPPI’s degree programs, research, and extension activities.

During their visit to Bangkok, the UPPI delegation had the privilege to reconnect with two Thailand-based alumni: Ms. Rea Jean Tabaco (MPOPS, 2015), currently with the regional office of the Food and Agriculture Organization, and Ms. Jean Paula Regulano (MPOPS, 2022), now affiliated with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

*The Institute would like to express its thanks to the Demographic Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (DRDF) for their invaluable assistance in this academic endeavor.