USM, along Region XII SUCs, signs MOA for CHED Project 

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM), together with the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region XII to wit: Cotabato State University (CotSU), Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), South Cotabato State College (SCSC), and Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST), signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the project titled: “Empowering Equity Target Students: Enhancing Access and Success in State Universities and Colleges across Region XII” on July 29, 2024, through a zoom teleconference. 

Jesusa Ortuoste, PhD, the OIC President of SKSU, thanked the USM President for considering SKSU as one of the partners of the undertaking. 

Sema G. Dilna, EdD, the CotSU President, said that it is with pride and honor for CotSU to be involved in this remarkable milestone in the region. “With this, our strong collaboration will be enhanced, and will help improve our region… I strongly support this collaboration.” He emphasized. 

Edward Lovell Brillantes, PhD, the SCSC President, mentioned that SCSC, as a three-year-old college, is happy to be involved in the research. “Through this research, we could enhance our research, as well as give chance to our students to participate in this endeavor… we are in 100% support of this collaboration’.

In addition, Harris Sinolinding, PhD, the CFCST Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), expressed his thanks as CFCST is part of the CHED-funded project. He said: “We will follow whatever is agreed in this MOA and truly support this project. 

Dr. Ma. Teodora N. Cabasan, the USM Research Publication and Services Office (RPSO) Director, as the representative of the USM President, stressed that USM welcomes the opportunity of working with the SUCs in Region XII to provide access to quality higher education and benefit the most from the targeted interventions in the future. 

The project, through its collaboration with mentioned SUCs, aims to comprehensively understand the socio-economic profiles and challenges of students in SUCs in Region XII with a specific focus on enhancing the access and success of equity target students.