Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Following thorough evaluation and validation of documents, the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines Inc. (AACCUP) accrediting team conveyed their insights and recommendations for CMU during the institutional accreditation (IA) survey visit held from January 29 to February 2, 2023.
During the closing program, Dr. Myrna Q. Mallari, IA team leader said that CMU submitting itself to accreditation means that the university believed that it deserves to be visited again.
“…because you believe that there are still things that other people may see for you to pursue especially under the new leadership,” Dr. Mallari said.
Dr. Mallari added that it shows the university’s belief in quality assurance in its undertakings.
Each member of the accrediting team also shared highlights of their findings in the different areas evaluated.
Dr. Mallari who also served as the lead accreditor for Area I – Governance and Management, identified having competent and dedicated top management as one of the university’s strengths. She also commended the existence of a responsive and efficient grievance committee that addresses the concerns not only of the employees but also of the students.
“What is nice there is that students even can come forward. They have this empowerment to come forward and file their complaints.” Dr. Mallari noted.
Dr. Riceli C. Mendoza, lead accreditor for Areas II – Teaching, Learning, and Evaluation and III – Faculty and Staff, commended the consistency of the university as a top-performing school in different licensure examinations in the past years. She also pointed out that the Department of Science and Technology recognizing the university’s graduate programs as delivering programs for Science and Mathematics Education under the Science and Technology Regional Alliance of Universities for National Development (STRAND) program is a significant contribution to the nation’s overall progress and advancement in the field of science and technology.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charisma S. Ututalum, lead accreditor for Areas IV– Research and V- Extension, Consultancy, and Linkages, reiterated the essence of the accreditation.
“The pursuit of accreditation is not just about meeting the criteria in those parameters, but it is about fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence,” Dr. Ututalum said.
Dr. Ututalum shared the strengths she saw in the two areas. These included the extensive research agenda and the addition of new research centers which showed the university’s commitment to knowledge and technology generation for a globally sustainable environment and society. She also described CMU’s extension programs as well-defined, multidisciplinary, collaborative, and holistic. She also praised the collaborations and linkages of the university in research, extension, and even governance in improved bureaucratic and regulatory efficiency.
Dr. Anita C. Sornito, the lead accreditor for Area VI – Support to Students and VII – Library noted the active role of the Supreme Student Government especially in programs dedicated to the health, spiritual, socio-cultural development, and academic performance of the students and the clear-cut policies in recruitment, admission, and retention of students. She also commended the library services for attaining the goals and objectives of the office which include the provision of quality materials needed by students and faculty, and the operation of reading rooms in the different colleges.
For Areas VIII – Infrastructure and Other Learning Resources, lead accreditor Dr. Lawrence Anthony U. Dollente praised the activities and initiatives of the Office of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and the construction of a pedestrian overpass to ensure the safety of the students.
Meanwhile, for Area IX – Quality Assurance Culture, Dr. Dollente observed significant changes in the programs of quality assurance of the university as seen in the number of accredited programs, quality management system and evaluation, and good international rankings. He also commended the support given to quality assurance activities.
On top of these commendations, the accreditors also gave some recommendations for the continual improvement of the university. Some of these included the commercialization of knowledge generated from research, the institutionalization of processes of the university, and continuous improvement of the facilities to better serve the stakeholders.
Central Mindanao University submitted itself to the second cycle of institutional accreditation visits, aiming to become a level IV accredited institution. [Johnica Chantal G. Montero]
