Special Opening Issue (AY 2017-2018)

MMSU admitted a total of 376 freshmen this academic year and is set to welcome them in an Orientation Program this Friday, September 15.

The 376 are enrolled in the eight programs offered by the university, including the new program, Bachelor of Science in Food Technology of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD).

Other programs which accepted first year enrolees are: BS in Environmental Science; AB English Language; BS Marine Biology; BSBAMarketing Management; B Automotive Technology; BS Industrial Technology; and BS Computer Engineering.

As part of university tradition, the orientation program is organized by the Guidance and Counseling Unit of the Office of the Student Services and

Population PopulationofofMMSU MMSUStudents Students (AY 2017-2018 Semester) (First SemesterFirst AY 2017-2018)

Univ pop’n down by 22.75% /See story inside

PRESCHOOL ELEM HS STP CTE CIT COE CBEA CHS CAS CASAT CAFSD COM COL GS 0

200

400

600

800

Development (OSSD), headed by Prof.

Henedine Aguinaldo.

The breakdown of the freshman population is as follows: BS in Industrial Technology, 58; BS in Environmental Science, 53; B Automotive Technology, 45; BSBA-Marketing Management, 41; BS in Computer Engineering, 39; BS in Food Technology, 36; AB in English Language, 34, and; BS in Marine Biology,

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

22.

Moreover, Ms. Felina J. Isaac, University Registrar, said that the system in enrolment is already enhanced and improved.

She also stressed that the Information Technology Center (ITC) had helped them in accelerating the enrolment process.

FEM Centennial Park to honor late prexy

by Erika Mae Calautit and Brett Bungcayao

The front lawn of the Administration Building will soon be transformed into an FEM Centennial Park, honouring the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos in his 100th birth anniversary.

Engr. Romeo R. Duldulao,

Proposed FEM Centennial Park

PPGSD Director, said that they have already come up with a proposal for the erection of said park.

Initially, they have removed the palm trees in the front lawn of the building that covered the façade of the building.

Duldulao said that the two fountains in front of the building shall serve as a landscape and will be ornamented with colourful plants and garden stones.

The second phase of the park will have pavement blocks

placed in front of the statue of Mariano Marcos, strategically creating a student’s area. Also, the area surrounding the flagpoles near the twin gate, as well as the area covered by the rice fields, will be planted with sun flowers during summer.

Duldulao viewed the project as the university’s contribution to the Marcos centennial celebration.

“It’s also of significance to repair the roof of the Administration building, so we are asking the financial division to allocate funds for such activities to be proposed in the future,” he added.

The target date of completion and the unveiling of the centennial park is yet to be scheduled.

2

SIRMATA

Updates

NEWS Events

Studes to still enjoy free tuition next AY -Franco

by Vanessa Tawali

President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed the free tuition law to subsidize 112 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines this year. But there have been reports that the funding of the free tuition was removed from the 2018 budget.

In the case of MMSU, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco confirmed that there is already a law regarding the free tuition for academic year 2018-2019 when the

6 programs undergo AACCUP accreditation

by Franzel Monique Bonilla

Six (6) programs eyeing for Level IV status were surveyed by the Accrediting Agency of the Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, Inc. (AACCUP) on August 21-25.

The six programs that underwent accreditation include: BS in Biology, BS in Mathematics, MS/Master in Crop Science, MA/Master in Education, MA/Master in Public Administration and Doctor of Education major in Educational Management.

University President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, during the opening program at the Teatro Ilocandia, said, “We need eminent accreditors for us to evaluate how relevant our strategies in our academic programs in preparing students to become competitive with the ASEAN neighbors.”

The AACCUP Team of >turn to page 3

Senior High School graduates will be entering SUCs.

However, she said that they are still waiting for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Franco also shared that for this academic year, an amount of Php 55 million is allotted to cover the tuition for the first semester.

“We only have covered the free tuition for the first sem yet but there was a word from Chairperson

Patricia Licuanan before I was still the OIC-President, that we still have to wait for further instructions to address the miscellaneous fees. I have asked the Finance Group before and have projected in the computation. We can still make it,” Franco assured.

“We are very blessed because all the students are practically covered, except the transferees,” she further said.

She also stressed that the first batch of senior high school graduates will surely be beneficiaries of the free tuition next school year.

Univ pop’n down by 22.75%

by Clyde T. Ramos

Due to the K to 12 program transition, the university experienced a sharp enrolment drop of 22.75 percent this first semester of the academic year, records from the Office of the Registrar show.

From last year’s 11,827, this year’s population went down to 9,136.

University Registrar Felina J. Isaac explained that the huge decrease of population is primarily due to the lack of first year enrolees except from those in the eight non-board programs.

“Because of K to 12, we did not admit first year enrolees except from those eight non-board programs,” she said.

Of the colleges, the College of Teacher Education (CTE) has the highest drop of percentage, pegged at 33.92%. It is followed by the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA), with 32.73 percent and 29.46 percent, respectively.

Furthermore, Isaac said that the huge drop of student population will only be experienced this academic year.

“We will expect that the number of students will be back to normal by next year when Senior High School students graduate,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, the College of Engineering (COE) remains the biggest college, with 1,828 enrollees, followed by CBEA with 1,513 students. The College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) has 1,052; College of Industrial Technology (CIT), 892; CTE, 748; College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), 590; College of Health Sciences (CHS), 590; High School, 589; Graduate School, 543; Elementary, 292; CASAT, 158; CTE Short-Term Program, 120; Pre-school, 88; College of Law, 67; and College of Medicine, 66.

Isaac added that starting next academic year, only graduates of senior high school will be accommodated by the university.

Updates

Student Center, 43.22% complete

by Marianne Alcanzado and Franzel Bonilla

The Physical Planning and General Services Division (PPGSD) is striving for the target completion of the Student Center which is already 43.22% complete.

The Php21M building, which was begun November last year, is targeted to be accomplished on September 27 this year. The total cost incurred to date is Php 9,027,812.40.

Based on the Statement of Work Accomplishment covering September 5 to September 13, the scope of work that comprises the total accomplishment include earthworks, reinforced concrete works, masonry/plastering works, painting, plumbing and electrical works.

The unaccomplished scope of work includes roof framing, roofing, ceiling, railing, stair works and doors and windows (fabrication, delivery, installation) and tile works.

Director Romeo R. Duldulao and Project Inspector Philip D. Padre are in charge of the project.

6 programs undergo... >from page 2

Accreditors was headed by Dr. Emma C. Ventura of Ramon Magsaysay Technological University for MS/M in Crop Science, Dr. Yolanda B. Viloria of Nueva Vizcaya State University for BS in Biology, Dr. Maria S. Tugano of Catanduanes State University for BS in Mathematics, Dr. Renelda P. Nacianceno of ISATU for MA in

NEWS Events

SIRMATA

MMSU Team clinches 5 th FEM Debate Cup

3

by Vanessa T. Tawali

Proclaimed as a ‘hall of famer’ last year, the MMSU team once again emerged as the champion in the grand finals of the 2017 Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) Intercollegiate Debate Tournament held on September 8 at the Teatro Ilocandia.

Rabago delivering his argument.

MMSU’s team Photo by Marcos Presidential Center defeated Northern Mall.

Christian College (NCC) after a heated

The grand finals, fought between debate on a motion to “require students MMSU and NCC, was held during the who would enroll in SUCs to undergo 1st day of the 100 Forum: The North National College Entrance Examination Remembers, as part of the 100th in order for them to avail of the freebirthday celebration of the late President tuition fee.”

Ferdinand E. Marcos.

The team is composed of

Tacderan, one of the speakers, CTE students Jerylvin Rabago, Hazel said that they won, despite already having Tacderan, and Sandra Lee. two defaults in the preliminary rounds,

Prior to the championship, because they fought for the title and they six schools namely, MMSU, NCC, never gave up in facing their odds. She Northwestern University (NWU), Divine also added that the person behind their World College of Laoag (DWCL), Data success is their supportive coach, Prof.

Center College of the Philippines, and Jeannette Dials.

STI, competed in the elimination rounds.

“We dedicate our victory to all

Two teams from NWU and one the MMSU students,” she added. each from NCC and MMSU advanced to the semi-finals which was held on September 6 at the Robinsons Extension Education, Prof. Ricky G. Abalena of West Visayas State University for MA in Public Administration, and Dr. Emily M. Arangote of ASU for Doctor of Education.

The programs were evaluated through the Outcomes-Based Program Accreditation Survey Instrument in the areas of Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives (VGMO); Faculty; Curriculum and Instruction; Support to Students; Research; Extension and

Community Involvement; Library; Physical Plant and Facilities; Laboratories; and Administration.

MMSU is again submitting applications for seven programs this coming accreditation survey visit on September 19-21. The programs to be evaluated are B Automotive Technology, BS Fisheries, BS Marine Biology, PhD Linguistic, MA English Language and Literature, MS Biology and MS Mathematics.

4

IN FO CUS

SIRMATA

Dr. Raul Sunico (left) with forum moderator Mr. Herdy La. Yumul (right)

Prof. Antonio Contreras

Atty. Estelito Mendoza

During the FEM debates

Gov. Imee R. Marcos

Carlos (right) with forum moderator Atty. Marilyn Barua-Yap (left)

Prof. Clarita Carlos

B E H I N D this

ISSUE

LLOYD ANICIER BARBA/Editor in Chief MA. KATHRINA YSABEL ANTONIO, RYAN ROI DOMINGO/Associate Editors GEORGE PASION JR., JETHRO MIGUEL SORIZO/Circulation Managers FRANZEL MONIQUE BONILLA/Desk Editor VANESSA TAWALI, BRETT BUNGCAYAO, CLYDE RAMOS, ERIKA MAE CALAUTIT, MARIANNE ALCANZADO/Writers FLORECITA Q. CORTERO/Technical Adviser RYAN ROI DOMINGO/Layout Artist Printed by Communication and Media Relations Office of MMSU

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis

Sunico

Over 2,000 gathered at the Teatro Ilocandia on September 8 to commemorate the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos in his 100th birth anniversary through the “Marcos 100 Forum: The North Remembers.”

The first day of the forum tackled issues such as nationalism, cultural development, foreign policy, and martial law. Photos by Marcos Presidential Center