The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) is optimistic it would be ISO 9001:2015 certified this 2019, as it undergoes training for Quality Management System (QMS) through a P1.3M technical assistance grant from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).

An ISO certification attests an institution’s capacity to reliably provide products and services that satisfy both client and regulatory requirements.

DAP’s technical assistance for the Institute’s ISO certification was sought by FSI Officer-in-Charge Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the two agencies, DAP shall assist FSI throughout each stage of the certification process, from orientation to guidance sessions and final evaluation. Specifically, DAP’s technical assistance grant covers the conduct of QMS training courses, workshops, guidance sessions, and assessments.

FSI, as the grantee, is expected to comply with all program requirements, including the development of organization-specific ISO QMS materials, engagement of services of a third-party auditor, and sharing of FSI experiences with other government agencies seeking ISO certification.

FSI’s initiative to pursue ISO certification follows the earlier efforts by the  Department of Foreign Affairs’ certification for selected processes in 2017 and 2018.

An ISO certification shall facilitate and support the Institute’s efforts to obtain, under DAP’s guidance, its goal to be the prime diplomatic training institution in the country and the research center for international studies in Southeast Asia.

Upon completion of the rigorous trainings and workshops facilitated by DAP, FSI will go through a third-party audit to confirm whether or not it meets ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Standards compliance means FSI shall meet customer and regulatory requirements, build institutional competencies such as enhancing organizational knowledge, pursue good governance and transparency in its processes, and contribute to government reliability.