Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU Graduate School hurdles CHED-R1, RQAT evaluation

By Ian Paul Villanueva

The Mariano Marcos State University - Graduate School (GS) successfully hurdled the monitoring and assessment conducted by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED-R1) and the Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) on November 7, for its offered graduate programs.

Conducted at the Graduate School in MMSU Laoag Campus, the evaluation reviewed the university’s graduate programs, institutional documents, and academic practices to ensure compliance with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 15, s. 2019.

Through an extensive document review and validation, the CHED-R1 and RQAT evaluators, led by Dr. Al Gerald Barde, affirmed the school’s adherence to prescribed quality standards, while outlining actionable recommendations to address remaining gaps and strengthen institutional processes for continuous improvement.

In his message during the opening program, MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. outlined MMSU’s continuing directions for graduate education. He emphasized the need to advance research publications and sustain initiatives that support academic excellence.

President Manzano also delivered the university’s statement of commitment and acknowledgment in response to the evaluators' findings at the closing program.

For his part, Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal underscored the importance of cultivating a lasting culture of quality during his opening remarks. He noted that the institution’s commitment to excellence must extend beyond the tenure of individual faculty members and students.

Prior to the evaluation proper, GS Dean Doreen Domingo presented the university’s institutional profile and an overview of its graduate programs.

Dr. Barde, who serves as Education Supervisor II of CHED-R1, oriented the participants on the assessment procedures and later presented the team's initial findings. This was followed by an open forum and clarificatory discussions with university and GS representatives.

The successful assessment marks a significant step in the quality assurance efforts of the Graduate School, keeping with the university’s commitment to providing responsive, relevant, and top-tier graduate education.