AUN-QA Special: Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Provides Opportunity to Ensure Inclusion and Accessibility of AUN-QA Services

The 393rd AUN-QA Programme Assessment at the De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde – known commonly as Benilde – in the Philippines was held from 18th until 20th June 2024. This marked the third AUN-QA Programme Assessment at the university, with four programmes assessed this time: Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Music Production, and Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies. The involvement of the latter programme for Deaf people underscored the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in the network’s services and operation.

Benilde’s Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies (BAPDST) Programme, under the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies - Deaf studies major, allows Deaf learners to study their own identity, culture, language and communities to enable them to become productive members of society. By promoting the learners’ self determination and advocacy for their rights and communities, the programme aims to help the Deaf learners realise their full potential, and to ensure that the Deaf heritage is preserved and their culture valued and nurtured. This programme features three tracks for the learners to pursue in terms of both career paths and interests: Visual Media Arts Track,  Entrepreneurship Track, and Business Outsourcing Services Management Track. As of 2024, BAPDST programme is the only bachelor’s degree in Deaf studies offered in Asia.

In preparation for assessing this programme, the AUN-QA Assessors for the BAPDST programme, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutarat Vibulphol and Dr. Nguyen Truong Sa, participated in a virtual meeting with the person-in-charge of the programme and sign language interpreters. Through a presentation on Deaf People Awareness, the meeting provided insights on common misconceptions about Deaf people, Deaf communication strategies, and working with interpreters. This meeting not only provided necessary orientation to all the AUN-QA assessors and personnel involved in preparation for the assessment of this programme, but also drew attention to the importance of AUN-QA in providing quality and accessible services to programmes and institutions for people with disability (PwDs).

The assessment was conducted with active coordination between AUN-QA and the Filipino Sign Language interpreting team to ensure smooth progression and understanding between all the parties involved. Methods and tools such as audio narration during the presentation were used to allow the interpreters to process and convey the information to the Deaf participants.

Inclusion and accessibility of higher education for all – including people with disability – is among the key areas of development that the region and the world is striving towards. The assessment of the university’s BAPDST programme provided a significant signpost for AUN-QA to continuously improve the quality and inclusivity of its services and operations for more PwD programmes and institutions in the future. In this regard, AUN-QA is deeply grateful for Benilde’s trust and cooperation as both institutions worked together to ensure positive outcomes and experiences to all the parties involved throughout the 393rd AUN-QA Programme Assessment. 

About De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB or Benilde) is a non-stock, non-profit organisation offering secondary and tertiary education in Manila and Antipolo, Philippines. Benilde was founded in 1988 and is a member of De La Salle Philippines.

From its humble beginnings as a night school for working students, the College continues to blaze trails for innovative educational programs with a thrust on learner-centred educational philosophy. Benilde is known for pioneering degree programs that were not considered career-viable decades ago and hence, were not offered in other colleges and universities. Today, Benilde is recognised for its innovation and continues to offer emerging fields of specialisations in Applied Deaf studies, design and arts, hotel and tourism, business, and diplomacy that are responsive to established industries and emerging fields of specialisations in Deaf applied studies, design and arts, hotel and tourism, business, and diplomacy.

Visit Benilde at https://www.benilde.edu.ph/ for more information.