By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

MMSU is truly levelling up and moving forward in terms of quality and excellence in higher education. 

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) obtained the Level III Institutional Accreditation (IA) granted by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, Inc. (AACCUP) this year. 

With this, MMSU earned the distinction as one of the few state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the country with the highest accreditation status so far. 

Apart from this, the AACCUP also awarded four major awards to MMSU: Top 4 in the Highest Percentage of Accredited Programs over the total accreditable programs from 1992-2019; Top 3 in the Highest Number of Level III Accredited Programs in 2019; Top 3 in the Most Improved Internal Quality Assurance Unit in 2019; and Top 5 in the Highest Number of Level III Accredited Programs in 2020.

The awarding ceremony was held online last March 12, which culminated the 34th Virtual AACCUP Annual Conference which started last March 10. 

“All to God’s glory,” exclaimed MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis as she thanked the University officials and constituents for “doing their part committedly.” She added, “These milestones would not have been achieved without your full support and love for MMSU.” 

Last December 2020, the University faced the online IA through evaluation on nine areas: governance and management; teaching, learning and evaluation; faculty and staff; research; extension, consultancy, and linkages; support to students; library; infrastructure and other learning resources; and quality assurance culture. IA is considered a big boost to SUCs in terms of SUC levelling, normative financing, and forging international linkages. (StratCom)