STRONGLY ADHERING to its commitment to excellence, MMSU is subjecting eight undergraduate degree programs for accreditation by the members of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) who are here in MMSU until September 24. The team are evaluating and assessing whether these degree programs possess quality standards and persisting efforts to maintain them at high levels.

The degree programs are BS in Pharmacy (BSPh), BS in Physical Therapy (BSPT), BS in Business Administration (BSBA), BS in Hospitality Management (BSHM), BS in Environmental Science (BSES), BS in Chemical Engineering (BSChE), BS in Computer Engineering (BSCompE), and BS in Electronics Engineering (BSEE).

BSPh, BSPT, BSBA, and BSHM are undergoing first survey visit, while the rest are on their second survey.

Prior to this, the university has already prepared the program performance profile (PPP) and self-survey report (SSR) for each program which were handed over to the AACCUP team leader who arrived in the campus on Sept. 19, a day before the start of the official visit.

Programs that pass the standards and obtain accreditation status will lend prestige to member institutions and are justified by the possession of high and quality standards of education.

The AACCUP accrediting team is composed of: Dr. Nilo E. Colinares, University of Eastern Philippines - coordinator; Dr. Pastora S. De Guzman-Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology; Dr. Romeo A. Gomez, Jr.- Benguet State University; Dr. Eric E. Fuentes - Sorsogon State College; Dr. Emelyn F. Montoya - Romblon State University; Prof. Lalaine M. Nerona - Isabela State University; Prof. Nestor D. Ebuenga, Jr.- Sorsogon State College; Prof. Oliver R. Mariano - Bulacan State University; Dr. Segundo D. Pacris, Jr. - Cagayan State University; Prof. Marietta S. Romera - Ramon Magsaysay Technological University; Dr. Donnabelle V. Sarmiento- Bulacan State University; Prof. Jerry S. Cristobal - Ramon Magsaysay Technological University; Prof. Neria E. Gomez - Bicol University; Dr. Julius T. Capili - Cagayan State University;

Prof. Sherryll M. Fetalvero - Romblon State University; Prof. Dorina D. Sabatin - Cagayan State University; Dr. Ramelo B. Ramirez, Jr. - Cagayan State University ; Prof. Florabel T. Sera Josef - Bulacan State University; Prof. Karen P. Andres - Ramon Magsaysay Technological University; Prof. Irene Gina D. Cruz - Bataan Peninsula State University; Dr. Carlo T. Nabo - Western Mindanao State University; Dr. Emerita P. Geron - Cagayan State University; Dr. Elvira M. Sana - Cagayan State University; Dr. Lolita L. Beato -Laguna State Polytechnic University; Dr. Evelyn D. Taban - Nueva Vizcaya State University; and Prof. Benilda N. Yap - Bicol University.

The survey visits

If the BSPh, BSPT, BSBA, and BSHM programs will pass the assessment, they will be awarded Level 1 status valid for a maximum period of three years. That is, if they will receive a grand mean score of at least 2.50.

On the other hand, if the BSES, BSChE, BSCompE, and BSEE will pass the assessment, they will be awarded Level 2 status valid for a maximum of four years as long as they receive a grand mean score of 3.00.

The programs must excel in four areas, namely: instruction, extension (which are mandatory), and two more areas to be chosen from among research, performance in licensure examinations, faculty development, and linkages. The criteria to be used by the accreditors in the assessment of the programs are mission, goals and objectives; faculty, curriculum and instruction, students, research, extension and community involvement, library, physical facilities, laboratories, and administration.

In her welcome address during the opening program at the MMSU Function Hall, Dr. Prima Fe. R. Franco, officer-in-charge of the Office of the President, thanked the accreditors for sacrificing their precious time in this worthy undertaking.

“Having been accredited institutionally, we can now internally accredit candidate level programs supporting AACCUP’s move for a robust internal quality assurance system,” Dr. Franco said, adding that last year, “we have submitted all our programs for CHED RQuAT use.”

Dr. Franco said that as of today, 33 certificates of program compliance, which is the legal basis of the existence of the MMSU programs, have been issued by the CHED Regional Office.

Meanwhile, as a state university, MMSU is now facing the challenges of the paradigm shift in the education landscape like the implementation of the K-12 program, outcomes-based education, technology advancement and the re-engineered general education program.

“That’s why the university needs to cope with the changing trend no matter how difficult on our part. It is incumbent upon us to conform to the Philippine quality framework,” Dr. Franco stressed.

“Quality education really lies on our hands. As we gladly transform our programs to meet or even go beyond standards, our collective effort will redound to helping the country as we prepare our human capital not only to compete with other Filipinos, but also with other ASEAN neighbors and the rest in the world.” (By Reynaldo E. Andres)