By Ruffa Siarza
The Mindanao State University (MSU) System held its 49th System University Council (SUC) Meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CHTM), MSU-Main Campus, Marawi City. The gathering brought together chancellors, deans, and heads of offices from all MSU campuses to tackle academic and administrative matters affecting the entire university system. The meeting marked the first SUC presided over by MSU System President, Atty. Paisalin P. Tago, CPA.
One of the major items discussed was the list of candidates for graduation for the First Semester of Academic Year 2025-2026. A total of 2,504 students across the system were initially reported as prospective graduates, subject to final verification by their respective campus registrars. MSU-Marawi reported 1,195 students, followed by MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology (IIT) with 841 students, MSU-Gensan with 344, MSU-Naawan with 47, MSU-Maguindanao with 17, and MSU-Sulu with 8.
The council approved February 10, 2026, as the official date for the System-wide Commencement Exercises. The ceremony will serve as a unified conferment of degrees, with MSU System President Atty. Paisalin B. Tago personally conferring the degrees to all graduates from various campuses, whether in person or in absentia. Several campuses presented proposals for new academic programs, most of which received immediate approval.
MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) presented three new programs: Bachelor of Science in Microelectronics Engineering – the first such degree offered by any university in the Philippines, Master of Renewable Energy Engineering, and Master of Science in Psychology. MSU-IIT also proposed a Research Integrity Framework, which the council approved for system-wide adoption.
MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography gained approval for several programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Oceanography – the first in the entire MSU System in its 56-year history.
Academic matters from MSU-Maguindanao, MSU-Sulu, MSU-LNCAT, MSU-Sultan Naga Dimaporo, and MSU-Buug were likewise approved through an omnibus motion by the council acting as the Board of Regents. Among these was the proposal to rename MSU-Buug to Mindanao State University – Zamboanga Sibugay.
In other significant developments, the MSU College of Law presented the MSU Law Global Horizons Program, an initiative that positions Mindanao as a destination for global legal education by opening its doors to international students seeking to study Philippine law. The council was also informed that the investigation into the alleged irregularities during the recent System Admission and Scholarship Examination (SASE) had been completed, with the official report already submitted to President Tago for appropriate action.
The meeting concluded with a group photo of President Tago together with the chancellors, deans, and campus delegates, symbolizing unity and renewed commitment across the MSU System.
