From: http://www.gov.ph/news/
Mindanao Polytechnic State College in Cagayan De Oro City now a university
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009 | EDUCATION 
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today signed into law a bill that will convert the Mindanao Polytechnic State College (MPSC) here into a state university.
The conversion of the MPSC into the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) under the newly-signed Republic Act No. 9519 is intended to raise the school’s level of excellence in science and technology geared towards the socio-economic development of the entire Mindanao region.
The new law was principally authored in the Senate by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and in the House of Representatives by Cagayan de Oror City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
The simple signing ceremony was held at the MPSC gymnasium in Barangay Lapasan here and witnessed by Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Representatives Rodriguez, Bambi Emano, Rolando Uy, Antonio Lagdameo and Candido Pancrudo, Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula.
“I am very happy. It is really about time that this state college be converted into state university. This is the best center of excellence not only in Region 10 but also in whole Mindanao,” the President told Zubiri, who was also one of the authors of the senate version of the bill.
The new law mandates the university to primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction and advanced instruction on mathematics, science, technology, engineering and advanced research and extension work in human resource development in critical skills and competencies required for global competitiveness.
To be able to cope with rigid competition in the wake of globalization, the Arroyo administration is investing heavily on the competitiveness of the country’s human capital through the enhancement of science and technology.
Mayor Jaraula, for his part, said the conversion of the MPSC into a university is timely as it will match the demand for high-level manpower in Science and Technology needed by industries and business establishments in the region.
Prior to its transformation into a state university, MPSC already operated like a university. Its main campus is located in this city with satellite campuses in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental; Alubijid, Misamis Oriental; Panaon, Misamis Occidental; and Oroquita City, also in Misamis Occidental.
It is certified by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) as Category A under Program Category of SUCs with distinctive competence in the area of Science and Technology, Advance Studies, Engineering Technology and Teacher Education.
It is also among the 14 out of 110 SUCs in the country which qualify as a Level IV SUC through the joint evaluation of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Aside from the Level IV classification, MPSC was awarded Top 1 performing school in the country, with 100 percent passing rate of the BS Architecture graduates in 2005 and 2006. Equivalent merit was awarded to the BSEE graduates in the year 2006.
It also serves as a CHED Zonal Research Center in Region X and CARAGA areas wherein it assists the commission in the effective and efficient management of research activities for other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
MPSC, which is also a Regional Node for Computerization program, is a recipient of funding from the Swedish International Development Assistance (SIDA) for IT equipment.
Other subsequent categories of MPSC include being a CISCO Training Provider and a Continuing Professional Education source.
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