MMSU prepares for institutional accreditation

By Reynaldo E. Andres 

Contributor

Batac CITY—The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is in the midst of preparation for an institutional accreditation.

The accreditation will determine MMSU’s proficiency and credibility as an institution of higher learning through a review by the members of the Accrediting Association of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP). 

The Batac-based state university chose voluntary evaluation as it expects to prove that its visions and mission would conform to its programs before it is permitted to become a member of the association of accredited institutions in the country.

On November 11-16, 2013, AACCUP members revisited MMSU and evaluated the eight degree programs of the university and assessed whether these possess quality standards and persisting efforts to maintain them at high level.

The degree programs were Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN), Bachelor in Elementary Education (BEEd), Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSE), BS Agricultural Engineering (BS Ag Eng), BS in Civil Engineering BSCE), AB in English Language (ABEL), BS in Business Administration (BSBA), and BS in Hospitality Management (BSHM).

MAN, BEEd. BSE, and BS Ag Eng underwent fourth survey, while BSCE and ABEL underwent third and second surveys, respectively. The BSBA and BSHM which underwent preliminary survey received an overall ratings of 4.85 and 4.77 percent, respectively, thus, qualifying them for Level 1 survey which was conducted just recently.

Prior to these, the university had underwent several program accreditations in the past years wherein most of its degree programs were accredited in the second and third levels. But in this institutional accreditation, the entire university is accredited, which means that it bestows a high level of credibility on a university as a whole.

It is a process by which the University demonstrates to the public that it is fulfilling its mission of providing quality education through the appropriate use of its resources and its adherence to the criteria established for all colleges and universities in the country.

In a consultation forum held at the University Function hall on June 6, Dr. Manuel T. Corpus, AACCUP executive director, said MMSU will be evaluated and accredited as an entire educational organization in terms of its mission and the agency’s standards or criteria.

“Besides assessing formal educational activities, we will evaluate such things as governance and administration, financial stability, admissions and student services, institutional resources, student learning, institutional effectiveness, and relationships with internal and external constituencies,” Dr. Corpus said.

Accreditation is a process to assess and upgrade the educational quality of higher education institutions in the country. It is a system of evaluation based on the standards of the AACCUP and a means of assuring and improving the quality of their programs.

The process leads to a grant of accredited status and provides national and even international recognition and information on educational quality.

Aside from the AACCUP, the Association of Local Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (ALCUCOA) is also involved in accrediting agencies for government-run institutions.

Together, they form the National Network of Quality Assurance Agencies (NNQAA) as the certifying agency for government-sponsored institutions. However NNQAA does not certify all government-sponsored institutions.

The AACCUP is an active member of the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies for Higher Education (INQAAHE), and of the Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN).

Thus, any positive evaluation done by the AACCUP for MMSU will be of great impact in the promotions of its programs worldwide.

Dr. Wilma Natividad, vice president for academic affairs, challenged the heads of all units saying, “We should have a shared vision toward this goal so that all our efforts will be geared toward this direction.”

Knowing the salient steps to take as the university prepares for this prestigious institutional accreditation status, Dr. Natividad said this consultation forum with Dr. Corpus “would save us from burden of stress brought about by the preparation of voluminous paper works , competition in the use of facilities and other resources, as well as the deadlines set by the AACCUP.”

“Institutional accreditation would demand higher passing standards than program accreditation, but we resolve to go through it because of its usefulness and relevance in matters of fund allocation, SUC leveling, and rationalization which translate into prestige and fulfillment of our mandate as higher educational institution,” she added.