Catbalogan City – Following its road map and with the 2008 version expiring this year, Samar State University (SSU) underwent a three-day Internal Quality Audit (IQA) for its upgrade from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015.
“The IQA is in preparation for ISO 9001:2015 External Audit Visit because it is one of the mandatory procedures for ISO certification,” said Dr. Lanie M. Pacadaljen, SSU Quality Assurance director.
The Internal Quality Audit ensures “the effective implementation of the established Quality Management System (QMS)” and determines “the sustained effectiveness of QMS for future improvements,” according to Engr. Adrian U. Gadin, Focal Person for College of Engineering Quality Assurance.
Starting with the Opening Meeting on July 10, Dr. Pacadaljen discussed the audit plan with the ISO internal auditors and presented the team leaders before the actual audit.
The internal auditors visited the different SSU units and colleges after the opening meeting, asking questions based on the audit checklist.
On the afternoon of July 12, the team leaders presented their findings during the Closing Meeting.
“As response to the findings of the internal auditors, the University President made a pledge of commitment that those findings, especially the non-conformities that were found out by the internal auditors will be addressed the soonest possible time. At this time, we have to act on the corrective and preventive actions issued by the internal auditors from specific units as we prepare for the External Quality Audit,” the Quality Assurance Director stated.
The External Quality Audit is set in the last week of July or second week of August but will still depend on the availability of the external auditors.