MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis presented the seven institutional programs (IPs), which will serve as direction of the university for 2018-2019.

Dubbed as "Project Sinamar", the programs were presented before the more than 500 faculty members during the “Day with the President” at Teatro Ilocandia last September 24.

The president said these will serve as guide to all activities and in encouraging collaboration among university constituents. Sinamar is an Ilokano term of light rays.

“This Ilokano word encompasses the seven institutional programs and signifies our desire to be more culturally-responsive in our undertakings,” Dr. Agrupis said, adding that the programs will be laid down for next year in support of the MMSU vision.

The “Day with the President” was one of the seven IPs presented. This is a platform for exchange of ideas and sharing of concerns that would help improve the services of the different offices and units of the university.

The other six are the Voices, Inspirations, and Harvests; Knowledge for Development; MMSU: Going Global; Science and Technology (S&T) to advance Ilokano Culture and the Arts; E-MMSU; and Research and Extension for Development Innovations.

The Voices, Inspirations, and Harvest is the compilation of the university president’s speeches, policy statements, and MMSU publications. This project seeks to disseminate knowledge products in the form of publications.

“This is the reason why I always require copies of training modules for every request for expert services because these are publishable materials,” Dr. Agrupis said.

Meanwhile, the Knowledge for Development seeks to enhance the knowledge of faculty and staff through lecture series. Seminars on technical topics, values-formation, and social issues will be conducted through dialogues, film viewing, and performance arts.

Partnerships with more international universities and diplomatic offices will also be expanded. Dubbed “MMSU: Going Global,” the third program will set the university forward by forging partnership with at least seven new embassies this year.

While MMSU seeks to be recognized globally, the Ilokano culture and the arts will also be advanced through fusing S&T in research and development efforts. Through this program, an “Eskuela Talier,” a conservation school, will be built.

“Building on the gains of the USAID (United States Agency for International Development)-funded project-on Abel Iloko with the integration of Mathematics and ICT (information and communication technology), we shall continue revitalize Ilokano culture industries and artifacts,” Dr. Agrupis said.

Other programs includes the leveling up the MMSU’s ICT platform by automating its systems and coming up with seven cutting edge support systems and learning applications per year.

Moreover, R&E for D innovations will be realized by promotion and commercialization of crop-, animal-, and fisheries-based, and non-food products. Seven research-based products, too, are expected to be launched next year for wide-scale commercialization.

Aside from these plans, Dr. Agrupis also highlighted the accomplishments of her leadership in one year. At the close of the meeting, the president thanked the faculty for supporting the university programs, urging them to “help one another in order to realize our aspirations.”