SOUA 2025 of OIC-President Franco: MMSU’s well-defined systems ensure continuity and growth
By Edmar Delos Santos
MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco delivered the 2025 State of the University Address (SOUA) during the University Convocation on January 24 at Teatro Ilocandia, weeks before a new university president will be appointed.
In her speech, she recognized the immense contributions of Dr. Shirley Agrupis, immediate past MMSU president and now Commission on Higher Education Commissioner, for propelling the university to reach greater heights for the past seven years.
Dr. Franco also thanked former President Ferdinand E. Marcos for laying the foundation of the university through Presidential Decree 1279. She said that the university is now celebrating the legacy built on the collective efforts of those “who have passed through the gates of MMSU.”
Serving as officer-in-charge president after the presidency of Dr. Mirriam Pascua and Dr. Agrupis, Dr. Franco thanked the university employees, students, alumni, and former administrators, for establishing a strong organizational culture, making her role manageable.
“What makes this role bearable, even in the face of its great demands, is the strong tradition of excellence and the well-defined systems that MMSU has built over the years–systems that transcend personalities and ensure continuity and progress,” she explained.
In its 47 years of academic excellence, Dr. Franco celebrated MMSU’s position as one of the leading universities based on its performances from international university rankings and attaining a four-star rating from the prestigious Quacquarelli Symbols Stars rating system.
𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The OIC-President honored 2024 as a year of a remarkable period of achievements at MMSU. Some of the recent accolades in 2024 include being the Top 1 School for Pharmacy and Law with 50 or more examinees and one to 10 first-time takers in the same year.
The university also ranked second in elementary education and third in secondary education as a top-performing school in the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers and ranked sixth in the Philippine Nursing Licensure Examination.
She also commended the topnotchers in several board examinations, such as Ms. Dee Vanna Galacgac, who earned the number one spot in the August 2024 Food Technologist Licensure Examination. Other 11 topnotchers in electronics technician, civil engineering, nurses, and education board examinations were also recognized.
Additionally, she also reported the consistently higher institutional board passing rates across all programs and achieving a 100% certification rate in national assessments.
Dr. Franco also discussed the 81.82% and 93.75% accreditation rates in undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively. She also celebrated getting Certificates of Program Compliance from the Commission on Higher Education in all degree programs at MMSU.
“We are [also] proud to be the first state university and college in Northern Luzon to offer the Doctor of Dental Medicine program,” she added.
She also mentioned in her SOUA the integration of artificial intelligence within university operations, such as the establishment of guidelines for its use in education, ensuring students uphold intellectual integrity.
In her SOUA, she also celebrated the awards of faculty and students at regional, national, and international levels.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵
Dr. Franco expressed pride in increasing the participation of employees in research engagements. In 2024, the university completed 47 completed research programs and projects, marking a 74% increase from the previous year.
“We have sustained 180 programs and projects, exceeding our 2023 data on externally funded studies by 23.53%, with 21 externally funded studies completed,” she added.
The university also improved its portfolio of intellectual property achievements: four utility models, seven patents, three industrial designs, and 17 copyrights. Moreover, she also mentioned about continuous support of the university for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The OIC-President also expressed pride for the award-winning research outputs of MMSU employees across different disciplines.
𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
In 2024, the university trained 10, 854 individuals through various community-driven extension programs. Notable projects include training activities for local government units, research institutions, and private organizations. One of the primary beneficiaries were farmers and fisherfolks across Ilocos Norte.
Additionally, the university sustained its Rice Paddy Art, School-on-the-Air, and bamboo propagation programs.
“Through our holistic and inclusive programs, we look forward to creating a lifelong impact in the communities we serve,” Dr. Franco remarked.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Improving revenue generation across MMSU, its income-generating projects earned P16.4 million in 2024. The Food Services Unit attained the highest income ever, followed by the Accommodation Unit.
Dr. Franco also highlighted the improvements in MMSU’s physical planning and infrastructure. These include auxiliary buildings, operations of two new student dormitories, a Satellite Marketing Center, and a Souvenir Store.
𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Maintaining a strong focus on recruitment, selection, and promotion of employees at MMSU, the university led significant improvements in its workforce. In 2024, the university hired 117 educators and 79 in the non-teaching force.
Furthermore, MMSU was recognized as a Top Performer in Appointment Preparation for CY 2023, a recognition received in July 2024.
The university also restructured 18 positions and created 60 new plantilla positions “to ensure that contractual employees with master’s degrees secure permanent positions in the university.”
In terms of promotions, 162 faculty members have also advanced in their positions, including 101 through CHED’s Joint Circular (JC) No. 3, series of 2022, 16 merit promotions, and 4 granted permanency. In addition, 107 non-teaching employees have also been promoted.
She also expressed pride in sending 13 scholars to pursue their advanced studies and fellowships abroad and 57 scholars locally and internationally.
In her SOUA, she also honored the increase of international engagements of its employees and students. She mentioned that the year 2024 exceeded the university’s initial target by over 200%. Additionally, the university exceeded expectations for admitting international students by 172%.
Meanwhile, 4,054 individuals from partner institutions attended various programs and trainings hosted by MMSU. Likewise, 185 employees participated in outbound non-credit programs.
MMSU also established three thematic partnerships from three countries and formed 31 new international collaborations.
With MMSU’s internationalization efforts, Dr. Franco commended the university community for winning the Outstanding Education Program Award from the 2024 Internalization Champion of Nation-building and Sustainability Awards.
In terms of infrastructure, the university OIC-President shared that MMSU invested P110 million in 14 completed projects, such as the RDE Building Phase III, upgrades to the Physical Therapy Building, open learning spaces development, and the Health and Wellness Center.
When it comes to the ISO certification audit, MMSU received recertification in 2023, including the second surveillance audit conducted in 2024.
Dr. Franco also recognized the partnership between the Development Academy of the Philippines and MMSU to align the university’s systems with global standards in the educational system.
In her conclusion, she eagerly anticipates the leadership of a new president who will take the university to even greater heights. “Let us, therefore, move forward with confidence and purpose, building on the strengths of our shared accomplishments and preparing for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
By February 2025, the university will welcome its 8th president, who will lead the next four years and beyond. The OIC-President challenged the next president to sustain and improve the systems established over the past 47 years, for MMSU to fully realize its mission to the higher education sector.
Written By:
Administrator
