IN ITS CONSTANT quest for quality and excellence in higher education, the university currently submits itself to institutional accreditation (IA), the highest accreditation level given by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP).

Scheduled Nov. 17-20, the survey visit formally kicked off with an opening program held at the Teatro Ilocandia, 8:30 a.m.

Seasoned accreditors
Leading the group of seasoned accreditors is Dr. Manuel T. Corpus, executive director and considered as father of AACCUP. He brought with him top-caliber evaluators who hold major positions in their respective academic institutions. They are: Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, president of Tarlac State University; Dr. Maria Teresa SJ Valdez, vice president for academic affairs, Tarlac College of Agriculture; Dr. Marcela T. Caluscosin, retired professor VI and director for academic affairs of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University; now technical consultant of AACCUP; Dr. Rosana Grace B. Belo-Delariarte, professor VI and dean of the College of Nursing of the West Visayas State University;

Dr. Mario S. Suba, professor VI and Fulbright research fellow of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU); Dr. Danilo S. Hilario, professor VI and vice president for planning, research, and extension of Bulacan State University; Dr. Nenita I. Prado, professor VI and director of the Office of Admissions, Scholarships, and Placement of Central Mindanao University; Prof. Zoraida E. Bartolome, former librarian of CLSU now chief librarian of the Dr. Gloria D. Lacson Foundation Colleges in Nueva Ecija; Dr. Raul F. Muyong, professor VI and campus administrator of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology-Miagao Campus; Dr. Luis M. Sorolla Jr., president of West Visayas State University and president of AACCUP; and Mr. Samuel C. Chinaman, accountant of AACCUP.

MMSU top official’s messages
President Miriam E. Pascua presented the highlights of accomplishments of the university in the last five years as well as its strategic plan for 2013-2023. She said the on-going IA is an important step towards the university’s vision as a world-class university.

“With the collective will, talent, and creativity of the entire MMSU community, we are all placed to move steadily up. Energized by a deep sense of shared purpose, we can forge ahead successfully to even higher planes of excellence and more meaningful avenues for service,” Dr. Pascua enthused.

Meanwhile, in her welcome remarks, Dr. Wilma C. Natividad, vice president for academic affairs, said the whole MMSU system is honored and proud that it is being visited by seasoned AACCUP accreditors.

“We now aspire to be at par with the more progressive, more educational, and more economically advanced countries which have also subjected their programs and institutions to an accreditation like this,” she said adding that the university is aware that IA demands higher passing standards.

“We resolved to go through it because of its relevance and usefulness in matters of fund allocations, SUC leveling, and rationalization, among other things,” Dr. Natividad said.

AACCUP executive director’s message
On the other hand, Dr. Corpus said his group will no longer evaluate degree programs but the whole MMSU system, which means that it must bestow a high level of credibility as an institution of higher learning.

“This is a process in which the university demonstrates to the public that it is fulfilling its mission of providing quality education through the appropriate use of its resources and its adherence to the criteria established for all colleges and universities in the country,” he said.

“I find encouragement in MMSU’s achievements. At MMSU, I feel at home,” Dr. Corpus beamed.

He emphasized that IA “is not a simple exercise”. “You are making history here,” he said, noting that if the university makes it in this level of accreditation, it would join the ranks of Visayas State University and CLSU, the only two among 111 SUCs in the country who hold the distinction of having been granted IA.

“Not only that, you will be the first SUC in the country to be granted IA under the outcomes-based accreditation system,” he added.

Areas of accreditation
The AACCUP team are now evaluating nine areas in line with the agency’s standards or criteria. These are: governance and management; teaching, learning, and evaluation; faculty and staff; research; extension, linkages, and consultancy; support to students; library; infrastructure and learning resources; and quality assurance.