By John Vincent B. Toribio

With the trailblazing accomplishments of the Mariano Marcos State University in its seven-point agenda, ACHIEVE, gearing to become a premier Philippine university, more and more schools come to the campus to benchmark with the institution.

Four schools were lined up for their benchmarking activities in the University this April and May to learn about MMSU’s best practices, newest developments and innovations.

Today, April 27, officials of Quirino State University (QSU) of the province of Quirino and Calabanga Community College in Camarines Sur met with various MMSU officials, including President Shirley C. Agrupis this morning.

QSU benchmarked with the College of Teacher Education, a CHED Center of Excellence, this afternoon. Dr. Agrupis and QSU President Hermenegildo Samoy, Jr. also signed a memorandum of understanding to promote academic and cultural exchanges in the areas of teaching and research.

Accompanied by Dr. Mee Jay A. Domingo, MMSU director for international linkages and partnerships, the delegation also visited the National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center and the Center for Flexible Learning which currently hosts various faculty, student and inter-agency events.

For its part, CCC had a tour of the university’s e-kawayan facilities, Tuklas-Lunas Development Center and NBERIC. Led by Dr. Maria Sandia, college coordinator. The team were accommodated by Dr. Bjorn Santos, MMSU research director.

Tomorrow, the Ifugao State University will meet with personnel of the ILP and the Office for Strategic Communication as the school strives to advance its internationalization and communication efforts.

According to Mr. Richard D. Baliao, IFSU’s director for communication, public and international affairs, the school “recognizes MMSU’s innovative and progressive delivery of its functions.”

The Tarlac Agricultural University is also scheduled to conduct benchmarking activities in MMSU next month.

With all these activities, Dr. Agrupis said, “MMSU warmly welcomes our fellows in the academe, not only to share what we do best here, but also to conceive more collaborative engagements in the future, as we all level up as higher education institutions.” (HLY, StratCom)