The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced on Wednesday, Aug. 28, that the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) will now be known as Mountain Province State University (MPSU).
“University status, being a distinctive honor, is reserved only for deserving higher educational institutions (HEIs) in the country that have proven their excellence in instruction, research, and extension,” said CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera.
In a statement, CHED confirmed that it approved the conversion of MPSPC to MPSU during its Commission en Banc Meeting on Aug. 27.
CHED noted that MPSPC has met and complied with the standards required by law for conversion to a state university, based on the evaluation and validation by the CHED Composite Team.
“On behalf of the Commission, I congratulate the board, faculty and staff, and students of Mountain Province State Polytechnic College for your conversion from a college into a university,” De Vera said. “This is a testament to your continuous commitment to delivering quality education to the people of Mountain Province,” he added.
CHED also mentioned that Republic Act No. 12016, which mandates the conversion of MPSPC into a state university, was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate and was signed by President Marcos last Aug. 1.
MPSPC President Edgar G. Cue extended gratitude to Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr., all past and present key leaders of the province, CHED officials led by Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III, the MPSPC Board of Trustees headed by Commissioner Marieta R. Canapi, the former MPSPC presidents, and the college officials.
“Your commitment and contributions have been instrumental in achieving this milestone,” Cue said.
CHED noted that MPSPC, with campuses in the municipalities of Bontoc, Tadian, Bauko, Paracelis, and Barlig, is the only public institution of higher learning in the Mountain Province.
It offers 23 undergraduate and six graduate programs, with an average enrollment of about 5,000 students per semester.
CHED said that the conversion of MPSPC followed a series of evaluations assessing compliance in various areas, including enrollment, programs, faculty, research, learning resources and support structures, linkages, and outreach programs.
The MPSPC was consecutively ranked among the top 300 most innovative universities in the world based on the WURI rankings, continued to improve its board passing rates for its programs, and received a 100 percent Certificate of Compliance.
“After years of persistent efforts, the entire MPSPC community can now celebrate the remarkable accomplishment of upholding high standards in delivering quality higher education, highlighted by the recent issuance of a 100% Certificate of Compliance,” said MPSPC Board of Regents Chairperson Commissioner Marieta R. Canapi.
“Certainly, MPSPC’s landmark achievements will inspire the people of Mountain Province to prioritize tertiary education, which offers value-added career opportunities and leads to a more promising future,” she added.