By: Johara D. Alangca-Azis | OVCAA Special Assistant
The recent evaluation conducted at the Mindanao State University-Main Campus by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region 9 and the Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) has successfully concluded, exhibiting a significant milestone in our university’s ongoing pursuit of institutional excellence through higher education. This evaluative activity, being a major part of the accreditation process for the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC), aimed at assessing the compliance of our five (5) of the ten (10) degree programs offered both at the MSU-Main Campus and the Sindangan Extension Campus with national standards. In particular, the process, which was thoroughly arranged and implemented, was intended at verifying the sufficiency of facilities, reviewing program documentation, and gathering insights from evaluators that would determine the campus’s eligibility for full accreditation status. Additionally, the visit served as a continuation of the pre-assessment of documents done by CHEDRO 9 spearheaded by Regional Director Atty. Marco Cicero F. Domingo on April 21-23, 2025 at MSU-Sindangan Extension Campus.
The activities commenced on Tuesday, July 1 with an official opening ceremony held at the Office of the President Conference Room, which was attended by university officials, deans, directors, chairpersons and faculty members, and representatives from CHED and RQAT, underscoring the collaborative nature of the accreditation process. Dr. Amerkhan G. Cabaro, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of MSU-Main Campus, warmly welcomed the visitors and highlighted MSU’s dedication to maintaining high standards and our openness to external review as a means of fostering institutional growth. He also stressed that the CHED and RQUAT visit provided an opportunity for the university leadership to reaffirm our commitment to quality education and to set expectations for the evaluation of our programs namely: BS Environmental Science, BS Fisheries, BS Psychology, BS-mathematics and BS Statistics. Atty. Jayneveb Recentes-Magolama, the University Quality Assurance Director, who formally presented the MSU officials and MSU COPC Team, also articulated that this visit is of paramount importance to the institution, as it exemplifies our proactive commitment to institutional quality assurance. Likewise, Engr. Janeny B. Domingsil and Dr. Clarissa C. Alvares from CHEDRO 9 officially introduced the RQAT, namely: Dr. Oliver D. Tito (BS Fisheries); Dr. Mohammad Nur S. Paspasan (BS Mathematics); Prof. Paulino T. Acebes, Jr. (BS Statistics); Prof. Jonathan B. Pajarito (BS Environmental Science); and Dr. Ailyn V. Sabdilon-Absara (BS Psychology) and deeply expressed their commitment to support MSU in our pursuit of obtaining the COPC.
Following the opening, the program evaluators proceeded with the ocular inspection of the Campus’s physical facilities, which was comprehensive, covering laboratories, classrooms, administrative offices, and library resources. They interacted directly with faculty and staff, observing the condition of instructional spaces and available resources. Premium emphasis was given on assessing the adequacy of laboratory equipment, instructional materials, and the overall learning environment, as these are key components to ensure the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Similarly, the CHED personnel along with VC Cabaro and Sindangan Extension Campus Director, Dr. Florencio Recoleto, Jr. and some OVCAA Special Assistants particularly visited the University library, the Gymnasium and Oval, Admissions Office, Information and Communication Technology Center (ICTC), Meranaw Cultural Heritage Center (MCHC), and other offices.
The second and final day of evaluation took place at Go Hotels in Iligan City on Wednesday, July 2, concentrating on a comprehensive review of the submitted program documents, including curriculum outlines, faculty credentials, student records, and other relevant reports. The evaluators meticulously assessed these documents to ensure they meet the regulatory standards and reflect current industry practices and academic requirements. The evaluation culminated with a feedback session where the CHED and RQAT representatives headed by Dr. Joseph Lou C. Sta. Teresa, shared their observations, comments, and recommendations. They expressed their appreciation for the efforts of all the involved individuals, highlighting the dedication of our faculty, the relevance of our community engagement initiatives, and the progress made in infrastructure development. They recognized the strengths of our campus but also pointed out areas for improvement, including curriculum modernization, faculty capacity building, and resource mobilization. These recommendations, delivered in a constructive and collaborative manner, are designed to support our campus’s continuous pursuit of excellence and to guide its strategic planning moving forward.
Alhamdulillah! The program has been a success, and it culminated with the powerful message from Dr. Henry Aringa, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, who emphasized that the university’s leadership is optimistic that the feedback from the program evaluators will certainly be integrated into institutional development plans, ensuring ongoing improvements in curriculum, infrastructure, and faculty development.
