SOUA 2022: PRESIDENT RECALLS MENTS

Mariano Marcos State University President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis discussed the University’s achievements in the year 2022 as she delivered her 6th State of the University Address (SOUA) at the Teatro Ilocandia yesterday, January 19.

President Agrupis further elaborated the university’s milestones, awards, and recognitions in line with the University’s 7-point agenda.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Academic Excellence

The University ranked 401st-600th in the Times Higher Education (THE) impact rankings for its contribution in the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This is the highest rank given among all state universities in the country.

MMSU’s effort in environmental sustainability was also recognized as the 365th university in the world in the UI Greenmetric World University Rankings.

The President also gave emphasis to the university’s achievements in terms of its excellence in institutional passing rates for bar and board exams.

“We achieve more in the licensure examination. Top performing school in the BAR examination for law schools with 11 – 50 takers. Second top performing school in the November 2022 nurse licensure examination with an overall rating of 99.47% and achieved a perfect 100% passing rate in the physician licensure examination for the fifth time since we produced our pioneer graduates here in Mariano Marcos State University and unprecedented feat among state universities and colleges.” said Agrupis

“We produced two exemplary performers in the board examinations. Two topnotchers in the nurse licensure exam, two topnotchers in the chemical technician exam, one in the electronic technician licensure examination and three in the certified human resource associate examination, to sustain our improved performance in the board exams, we have beefed up our support strategies. Last year, we started operating the University Review Center to keep our students close to home as they prepare for board exams.” the President added.

Creative, Relevant, and Innovative Research Programs

In the last three years, the General Appropriation Act (GAA) funding in research increased by 5%—totalling an average of 62.5 million pesos.

Agrupis also shared the increase in publications despite the struggles brought over the past years.

“While publications remain a challenge, also my fellow presidents notice we published 46 articles in 2022 146% higher than in 2017 while the number of citations grew from 57 in 2017 to 299 in 2022.” she said.

Amid the continuing price increase of local produce in the country, the president was hopeful to lower the cost of onions in the next year as the university develops innovative tactics to increase its production in the market.

“We develop management strategies to lessen the use of inorganic inputs in shallot or multiplier onion production and identify planting windows for increased shield of shallot, hopefully next year we will be lowering the price of onion in the market.” Agrupis stated.

High-Impact and transformative extension & outreach programs

Social responsibility in terms of the university’s extension and outreach programs were also given enough priority as it continues to help communities and individuals in the locale. A massive increase was seen with a 50% leap in the number of programs implemented and the number of training skyrocketed to 84% as compared to the numbers in 2021.

Financial responsibility was also seen as a priority last year as MMSU in collaboration with Landbank of the Philippines trained 3000 farmers on financial literacy.

Improved Revenue