SDCA taking steps towards internationalization

Hopkins and SDCA seal partnership through TOEIC

by: Richardson Mojica

In the continuing pursuit of academic excellence in providing international and global quality education, St. Dominic College of Asia (SDCA) renewed its partnership with Hopkins International Partners, Inc., the sole and ETS-authorized provider of TOEIC in the Philippines, through a Memorandum of Agreement.

SDCA has taken great leaps toward its goal of internationalization by partnering with various reputable international institutions and organizations for the past years. Since 2021, SDCA and Hopkins have sealed their partnership with the establishment of the SDCA Language Studies Center in the same year, initially through the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) for the students and employees. As the years progressed, the partnership also included language training, seminars, and other forms of support.

TOEIC is an international standardized test of the English language intended for non-native English speakers. It measures English language proficiency in reading, listening, writing, and speaking in the workplace and in everyday life. TOEIC is widely recognized locally and abroad by more than 14,000 organizations in 160 countries.

For the past years, SDCA has maintained a decent institutional Common European Framework for Reference for Language (CEFR) level of B2 (upper intermediate), which means that SDCA students and employees are more advanced and more independent users of the English language compared to others. SDCA has also produced at least 5 perfect TOEIC scorers in the past years and numerous C2-level students and employees.

This academic year, graduating students took the TOEIC Exam last March 8 and 9, 2024, with more than 400 students taking the exam. Non-graduating students, faculty members, and employees will be taking their exams in April and May this year.

English proficiency is one of the keys to successful internationalization activities as this serves as the main language in communicating with the international community. SDCA commits to further developing its students, faculty members, and employees to be more proficient in communicating with others through the international language.

SDCA, on its way to its 15 PACUCOA Accredited Programs

By: Stephanie Jhane Daroy & Richardson Mojica

St. Dominic College of Asia (SDCA) takes another step further into the higher degrees for the Master of Arts in Psychology and Master in Business Administration with Level 1 Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) Accreditation Formal Visit, as it recently concluded last March 2, 2024

Headed by Dr. Esther Vedaña, the PACUCOA Team applauded the SDCA Community for a “well prepared and well planned” accreditation visit, citing organized documents that “made our work easier.” The whole team, including Dr. Rosemarie Español, Dr. Eric Matriano, Dr. Teresita Calma, and Dr. Joyce Eugenio praised the SDCA Self-Survey and Quality Assurance and Institutional Effectiveness Team headed by Dr. Nilda W. Balsicas (VPAA), Dr. Philip C. Cuizon (SASE Dean and Psychology Chair), Dr. Romeo I. Parcero (Business Administration Chair), Dr. Alvin Jason A. Virata (SCMCS Dean and Quality Assurance Director), Dr. Wendell L. Galapate (Research and Community Extension Director), Prof. Mary Grace D. Demetillo (Student Services Director), Prof. Laila R. Ariate (Chief Librarian), Mr. Jonathan V. Sta. Ana (Administrative Support Director), Mr. Winterson C. Ambion, Mr. Mark P. Vacunawa, Ms. Liezl E. Abad, and Ms. Kristinne Saliza (QAIE).

During the closing program, the accreditors mentioned the strengths and opportunities for improvement of both MAP and MBA programs under different areas. Some of these strengths include a strong and dedicated faculty line-up, which is considered “a manifestation of a very good governance of the SDCA,” according to Dr. Español.

On the other hand, some opportunities for improvement that were discussed by the team include organizing a graduate school student council and continuous production of research for faculty members and students.

LWith the school's support and its community, the PACUCOA accreditation successfully ended, with both programs having high hopes of approval for Level 1 Accredited Status.

SDCA aims for 15 PACUCOA Accredited Programs

MAP and MBA Level 1 Accreditation Formal Visit

By: Anna Marie Geraldino and Emanuel Samblero

In continuous pursuit of academic excellence and quality education, St. Dominic College of Asia School of Graduate Studies submitted itself for accreditation under the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) for the Master of Arts in Psychology (MAP) and Master in Business Administration (MBA) programs on February 29 to March 2, 2024.

Led by Dr. Gregorio A. Andaman, Jr., SDCA President, the Opening Program was attended by the self-survey team, school officials, and the PACUCOA accrediting team. In his welcome message, Dr. Andaman encourages the SDCA self-survey team and officials to take advantage of the opportunity by seeking advice from the esteemed guests' best practices as he recalled the cordial relationships that were built between SDCA and PACUCOA in the past years.

SDCA self-survey team is composed of the Overall Chair of the SDCA Survey Team, Dr. Nilda W. Balsicas (VPAA), Dr. Philip C. Cuizon (SASE Dean and Psychology Chair), Dr. Romeo I. Parcero (Business Administration Chair), Dr. Alvin Jason A. Virata (SCMCS Dean and Quality Assurance Director), Dr. Wendell L. Galapate (Research and Community Extension Director), Prof. Mary Grace D. Demetillo (Student Services Director), Prof. Laila R. Ariate (Chief Librarian), and Mr. Jonathan V. Sta. Ana (Administrative Support Director).

The PACUCOA Accreditation Team includes Dr. Joyce Eugenio, Dr. Rosemarie Español, Dr. Teresita Calma, Dr. Eric Matriano, and the Chairman of PACUCOA Accreditation Team, Dr. Esther Vedaña, who commended the institution for its quality services “rest assured that we’re here to help you.” The program was wrapped up with the PACUCOA team starting the accreditation process.

The PACUCOA website describes accreditation as “a concept of self-regulation which focuses on self-study evaluation and on the continuing improvement of educational quality. It is both a process and a result.” Colleges and universities voluntarily submit themselves for accreditation to various agencies to ensure the delivery of quality education. Currently, SDCA has attained PACUCOA Level III Accredited status for 7 programs such as Business Administration, Information Technology, Secondary Education, Elementary Education, Psychology, Hospitality Management, and Nursing. While 8 programs have PACUCOA Level I Accredited including Communication, Multimedia Arts, Tourism, Pharmacy, Biology, Medical Technology, Radiologic Technology, and Physical Therapy.

The 3-day accreditation will end on Saturday as this undertaking is expected to have fruitful outcomes with a common goal of ensuring that SDCA will continuously seek ways to upgrade and enhance the quality of education they provide.

St. Dominic College of Asia’s students and employees participated in the Q3 National Earthquake Drill last September 8, 2022.

The Dominican community, from basic education, higher education, staff, and administrators, together with St. Dominic Medical Center, participated in the quarter 3 National Earthquake Drill in cooperation with Bacoor Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (BDRRMO), Wilderness Search and Rescue (Cavite Chapter), and Baranggay personnel of Talaba IV.

The Dominican community was taught disaster preparedness during earthquake, as well as what to do before, during, and after it occurs. The drill took place at the SDCA grounds and along Bacoor Boulevard sidewalk. The participants were grouped accordingly following the health protocols such as physical distancing, wearing of facemasks and minimize talking to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

After the drill, a meeting took place to evaluate the activity held at the HEd AVR facilitated by BDRRMO Prof. Jonathan Velustria Sta Ana, DASS Director.

With the help from all of the participants of St. Dominic College of Asia, the Local Government Unit, and Wilderness Search and Rescue, the 3rd quarter national earthquake drill was successful.

Written by Charl Fuentes

St. Dominic College of Asia continues to open its doors to deserving students and personnel by offering a variety of scholarships and discounts.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt by many, especially in the education sector, where it has upended the increasingly delicate balancing act of paying for school fees.

SDCA offers more discounts and scholarships for deserving students (both for Basic Education and Higher Education), including the OFW and Frontliner Discounts (Pandemic Assistance), where qualified dependents of OFWs and frontliners are entitled to a 10% tuition fee discount under A1-Category of the IATF Guidelines. Moreover, government employees may now take advantage of the SDCA's Government Workers Discount, which gives their immediate family members a 10% discount on tuition fees. Furthermore, under SDCA's Faculty and Staff Benefits, dependents of its employees can now get a 50% tuition fee discount.

Entrance Scholarships are also offered to incoming Grade 11 students who have achieved academic distinctions during their Junior High School (JHS) years. Those who graduated from JHS with the highest honors may enjoy a 100% tuition fee discount. On the other hand, those who completed JHS with high honors are entitled to a 50% discount and another 25% discount for students who were awarded honors.

St. Dominic College of Asia has always been committed to helping Dominicans achieve holistic education and authentic self-worth in their career professions. SDCA will continue to foster immense ways to positively impact lives, ensuring that each student and staff member can benefit from this crucial push during their educational journey. And amid the pandemic, these scholarships will be a great tool in supporting Dominicans to bounce back and overcome hardships.

Aside from these, other SDCA offers more scholarships for its students, such as the “Guro mo, Sagot ko” scholarship, Alumni Discount, partner discounts, and other internally and externally funded scholarships. For more details, you may contact the Higher Education Admission Office HED Admission at 09985518001 or send an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Written by Genesis V. Montoya

St Dominic College of Asia Basic Education Department offers HYFLEX learning modality this upcoming Academic Year 2022-2023 to ensure a more flexible and quality learning system.

As SDCA continuously aims to provide a quality education through a revolutionized and innovative approach to learning for the Dominican students, they successfully launched HYFLEX. This new learning modality enables the parents and students to choose home-based learning (online) or modified face-to-face learning.

In line with this home-based learning modality, students will have access to quality education using a state-of-the-art Learning Management System in their homes. The modified face-to-face learning modality combines home-based learning and face-to-face learning modality.

HYFLEX learning is designed to empower the students to aspire amidst all the adversities. At the height of the pandemic, SDCA was consistent in providing holistic and effective education to all. True to its goals, SDCA remains a learner-centric institution that caters to all the students' needs and offers dynamic, revolutionized education for the new generation.

Written by Mary Sherlene C. Miranda