The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) recently announced its official inclusion as an associate member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network - Quality Assurance (AUN-QA), signifying a significant step towards enhancing its military education to meet global standards.

The AUN-QA Network aims to harmonize educational standards and improve academic quality in ASEAN universities.

PMA Superintendent, Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia, emphasized the importance of aligning education, training programs, and operational procedures with global best practices to enhance graduates' professionalism and effectiveness. This strategic approach includes integrating modern techniques and technologies, maintaining a competitive edge through an internationalized curriculum, cadet and faculty mobility, and partnerships with allied military academies.

Following the approval of an updated curriculum by Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the PMA Class of 2029 will be the first to benefit from the Bachelor of Science in Management major in Security Studies program.

The academy's journey towards recognition began in 2023 with participation in AUN-QA training workshops, building internal capacity and systems for integration into the regional academic quality network. After applying for associate membership earlier this year, the PMA was officially accepted, demonstrating its commitment to international quality assurance standards in higher education.

As the first and only military academy in ASEAN to achieve associate membership, the PMA joins a diverse community of AUN-QA member institutions across Southeast Asia. While not yet fully accredited or externally assessed, associate members like PMA can engage in training, capacity-building initiatives, and regional networking opportunities. The academy is now preparing for institutional and program assessments as part of its quality roadmap to attain full membership in the future.