Mariano Marcos
State University

Dr. Virgilio Julius Paraoan Manzano, the current Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Office of the President of Mariano Marcos State University, is a distinguished academic and seasoned administrator with 30 years of teaching, research, and extension experience.

Dr. Manzano was unanimously elected by the Board of Regents as the 8th MMSU President in a special meeting held on February 11, 2025, at the CHED Central Office in Quezon City. He will serve as president until July 31, 2025, completing the unexpired term of former MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, who has been appointed as a CHED Commissioner. His official term as the University President begins on August 1, 2025.

A distinguished alumnus of MMSU, Dr. Manzano graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering in 1994. He placed seventh in the Professional Agricultural Engineering Licensure Examination that same year, marking the beginning of his distinguished career. From his early years as a field and sales technician, he transitioned into academia, obtaining his master’s degree at Gregorio Araneta University Foundation-De La Salle and his doctorate at the University of the Philippines Los Baños as a SEAMEO-SEARCA scholar. His extensive career in higher education spans three decades, contributing to teaching, research, and administrative leadership in state universities and colleges.

As a scholar and researcher, Dr. Manzano has made significant contributions to agricultural engineering, particularly in climate-based crop forecasting, precision agriculture, and water resource management. His research collaborations extended internationally, including post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Tokyo and Columbia University. These engagements strengthened MMSU’s research capabilities, securing state-of-the-art facilities and expanding opportunities for faculty and students. His expertise has also benefited local farmers through extensive training programs on climate-adaptive agriculture and resource management.

Prior to his election, Dr. Manzano served as MMSU Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight and Director of the Physical Planning and Development Office. He played a key role in the establishment of the Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Park, a major initiative aimed at fostering research, industry collaboration, and technological advancement. As he assumes the university’s top leadership role, Dr. Manzano is committed to implementing his SUCCEED Agenda, which aims to sustain MMSU’s achievements and drive its vision of becoming a premier university in Southeast Asia by 2033.