Dr. Ramir S. Austria, Dean of UC College of Teacher Education, has been appointed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)–Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD) as Technical Evaluator for Graduate Teacher Education for the term 2025–2028. The appointment was conferred in December 2025.

Dr. Austria currently serves as a member of CHED’s Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) and is a certified Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) Assessor, roles that place him at the forefront of national quality assurance initiatives in higher education.

Beyond CHED engagements, he is an Accreditor of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), contributing to peer-based evaluations of academic excellence across the country.

He also holds key leadership positions in the Philippine Association for Graduate Education, Inc. (PAGE), serving as a National Board of Directors member and Regional President, further strengthening his influence in shaping graduate education policy and practice.

This appointment aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Quality Education (SDG 4) by promoting high standards in teacher education, Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8 ) through strengthening professional competencies, and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) by ensuring equitable access to quality graduate education across the region.