Officials and representatives from the Mindanao State University (MSU) System gathered at the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel on April 30, 2026, for a System-Wide Policy Harmonization Meeting. The event focused on aligning policies, systems, and institutional practices across all campuses within the MSU System.
The meeting was attended by various system and campus officials headed by System President, Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA. The primary goal was to establish a structured pathway toward harmonization to ensure university policies remain coherent and reflective of the institution’s collective direction.
Discussions were organized into five major policy clusters. The Administrative cluster, led by the Executive Vice President Prof. Abdulcader M. Ayo, PhD, JD, ShL, reviewed governance and operational policies. Topics included the signing authorities of campus heads, strategic planning for ISO certification, internationalization, and the development of safety and anti-sexual harassment codes. The cluster also introduced the establishment of a unified IPDM standard and the Panginam Healing and Wellness Center.
The Planning and Development cluster was facilitated by the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Planning and Development. This session addressed organizational structures, staffing patterns, and the Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP). A key priority identified was the standardization of nomenclature for officials, offices, and academic units across the system to maintain consistency.
Academic policies were presented by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, headed by Prof. Minerva-Saminah M. Naga, PhD. This cluster focused on the System Admission and Scholarship Examination (SASE), faculty workload, thesis guidelines, and the creation of unified manuals for both students and faculty. The discussions emphasized the use of data-driven approaches to meet national education priorities.
The Financial cluster, overseen by the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance, led by Soraida A. Esmail, CPA, DM, addressed financial governance and literacy. The discussions highlighted the standardization of finance manuals and the preparation of financial agendas for BOR meetings. Coordination with oversight agencies, specifically the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), was also a point of focus.
The Research and Extension cluster was led Vice President for Research and Extension Engr. Glen A. Lorenzo, PhD. Officials reviewed policies concerning research productivity, incentives, intellectual property, and publication systems. The group worked toward harmonizing research manuals and guidelines for authorship to support faculty and student engagement in research activities.
The meeting concluded with an open discussion where campus representatives shared insights and raised concerns regarding the proposed unified framework. This harmonization initiative is part of the university’s effort to improve institutional effectiveness and deliver consistent services across the entire MSU System.
