The MSU-IIT graduated 1,964 during the 47th Commencement Exercises held yesterday, July 5, 2017 at the Gymnasium.
It is the biggest turn out in MSU-IIT’s history according to the Registrar Dr. Jerson N. Orejudos. Led by the Class Valedictorian Mubarak M. Paingco who graduated Summa Cum Laude, this year has a total of 60 magna cum laudes, 390 cum laudes, 10 With Honors for the Three Year Diploma Courses and four With Honors for the Two-Year Diploma Courses.
The graduation ceremony had for its speaker the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Fortunato T. de la Pena (see related story).
De la Pena lauded MSU-IIT’s quality education and he said, the Institute has become a byword in science and higher education in the country and in other countries. He also took note of its top rated College of Engineering (COE) and its promptness in updating its curriculum.
De la Pena, who retired in 2014, was Professor of Industrial Engineering at the UP from 1973-2011; a Professional Lecturer in Industrial Engineering at the University of the Philippines; and, also served as Undersecretary of the DOST in 2001-2014 among other positions he held in the past.
This year’s Class Valedictorian Paingco, a BS General Biology major had a grade point average of 1.10168, one of the highest obtained by a graduate in MSU-IIT.
This year’s 47th Commencement Exercises had its graduation speaker the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Secretary, Fortunato T. De La Peña. He addressed 1, 964 graduates from eight different colleges and schools on July 5, 2017 at the Institute Gymnasium.
De La Peña expressed his pleasure to be back in MSU-IIT as guest speaker as he last came to the Institute sometime in 2010-2011 when he was still DOST Undersecretary and visited the Materials Science Laboratory and other facilities supported by the DOST. He told the graduates that he knows the mixed feelings of a graduate. “First, there is that extreme happiness and feeling of relief after completing all those requirements, all those trials that you have undergone…more importantly, there is also that feeling of anxiety and uncertainty with the life ahead of you.”
He then shared his journey as a student who attended college at the early age of 14, going through until graduation, working as an engineer, pursuing graduate studies, and becoming a teacher for 43 years at the University of the Philippines while working at DOST.
In his commencement address, the tall, soft-spoken DOST Secretary emphasized to the graduates that it does not matter where they will start their career. He said that what is more important is they find a place where they enjoy the work they will do. He went on to share his own experience, “I said to myself you can never tell. In fact, I never planned my career. I just went on with whatever I enjoyed doing, doing my best where I am located and trying to weigh things when there are challenges and opportunities ahead of me. I did not look for places to go but when there were opportunities that came my way, I try to weigh and make a decision.”
He further encouraged the graduates by saying, “wherever you are, just do your best and while you are still young, it is okay for you to transfer from one job to another. But make sure when you are already settled down with your family, try to get settled in a career where you are happy.”
He proceeded by congratulating the faculty members, parents, and benefactors who he thinks deserve as much congratulations as the graduates do. He also congratulated MSU-IIT for making quality education accessible to many people especially those who are financially challenged.
He commended MSU-IIT as one of the country’s top-rating universities recognizing the designated seven Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Centers of Excellence and eleven Centers of Development in the Institute, and the only Higher Education Institution in Mindanao identified to be a delivering institution of two DOST scholarship programs: the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRD) and the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT).
Moreover, he said excellent research studies are done as he had seen during his first visit in the Institute in 2009, faculty members obtaining scholarships for doctorate studies abroad, international collaborations, the existence of research laboratories and equipment housed in the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM), the Technology Business Incubator (TBI), and the Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab).
According to the science chief, when it comes to delivery of education, MSU-IIT is prompt to act on improvements in its curriculum to respond to changing needs. This is evidenced in the offering of the Microelectronics track of the Electronics and Communication Engineering program following the DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD)-funded project “Developing Microelectronics Education in the Philippines.”
Seeing how the Institute has developed and how it has made initiatives to help, De La Peña invites and challenges MSU-IIT to be one of the DOST’s lead partners in implementing their programs and hastening the development of other regions.
In closing, De La Peña conveyed to the graduates the wishes articulated by President Rodrigo Duterte with the hope that these will be kept in the minds and hearts of the graduates wherever they go and whatever career they will have: reduction of inequality, creation of new opportunities, and expansion of potentials for growth. He believes that this year’s theme “Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship” is very appropriate as these are ways of expanding potentials for growth.
The 47th Graduation Ceremonies class was led by Mubarak M. Paingco, a BS Biology major and the only Summa Cum Laude this year, with a GPA of 1.102. Ten students were recipients of Institute Co-curricular Awards, namely: Jahaziel Mark S. Bahan (CBAA), Institute Leadership Award; Lou Ellen L. Antonio (CASS), Journalism Award; Michelle B. Garing (CASS), Music Award; Veniza D. Yamomo (CBAA), Performing Arts Award; Janodin M. Marohombsar, Debate Award; Primo T. Bagasol (CEd), Dance Award (Male); Laurice Jean A. Sator, Dance Award (Female); Paul Mateo Huelma (CBAA), Athletics Award (Male); May Kristine Deang (Ced), Athletics Award (Female); and Lyster Rey Cabardo (CSM), Sikap Award. Seventeen grantees from the Expanded Student Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) were also recognized for their exemplary performance and were awarded medals by CHED-X Regional Director Gersana.
MSU System President Habib W. Macaayong conferred the various titles and degrees on the graduating class in the presence of the members of the Board of Regents, MSU System officials, MSU-Naawan Chancellor Proserpina G. Roxas, MSU-Buug Chancellor Sultan Taha G. Sarip, MSU-IIT officials, and other guests: CHED-X Regional Director Zenaida Gersana, DOST-X Regional Director Alfonso Alamban, Division Chief of PCIEERD-DOST Ermie Bacarra and Executive Director of the Board of Investments in Sri Lanka Upali Senarath.
The 47th Pre-Commencement Exercises and Recognition Ceremonies were held on July 3-4, 2017 with guest speakers Dr. Rey Y. Capangpangan, Research, Development and Extension Center Head of Mineral Resources Research and Training Center, Butuan City (for Cluster 1: CSM, CON); Carlos B. Llamas III, Principal of Lumbatin Elementary School, Iligan City (for Cluster 2: SCS, CEd); ASEAN Engineer Rainaline R. Tan, Assistant Vice President for Refinery, Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation, Leyte (for Cluster 3: COE&T); and Dr. Raymund M. Pasion, Associate Professor of Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (for Cluster 4: CASS, CBAA, SGS, and SDS).
Titles and degrees were conferred to 605 graduates in the Institute’s 5th Midyear Commencement Exercises held on November 24 at the gymnasium. Of these, 29 finished with academic distinctions.
Jessica C. Tatad, a BS HRM graduate, topped the class as magna cum laude with a GPA of 1.40. Twenty-eight others finished cum laude. These were Rhea Mae L. Baulete, Chelsea M. Magdadaro, April B. Regis, Reggine S. Ybañez, Cristine Jay M. Afuang, Kirsie Raisa D. Ello, Alyson M. Ting, Jennifer Ross L. Talaroc, Divina Karla D. Capalungan, Trea Bianca A. Alombro, Keir Marie T. Ramas, Ivy A. Canoza, Milcah Ethiel C. Corona, Honey Grace R. Tabulong, Sarah M. Lluisma, Jireh Joy P. Tejano, Hillary T. Toring, Neisa M. Daleon, Ivy Lynette O. Sayson, Ianlester L. Romero, Lindod Boy L. Oculam, Alberto T. Prestoza, Kim Chesed F. Paller, Angelie Pearl A. Basera, Sarah Maritess O. Poblete, Flori Rose U. Manluza, Apple Jane B. Calasang, and Florence B. Kho.
Dr. Felipe M. De Leon, Jr., the Chairman and Commissioner for the Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), was the commencement speaker.
The graduates for each college were 34 for the School of Graduate Studies, 98 for the College of Science and Mathematics, 80 for the College of Engineering, 65 for the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, 27 for the College of Arts and Social Sciences, 86 for the College of Education, 92 for the School of Computer Studies, and 123 for the School of Engineering Technology. The College of Nursing did not have any graduate for the midyear.
Co-curricular awards were also given to Redeemtor Sacayan (CSM) for Institute Leadership, Lovely Jane Vallinas (COE) for College Leadership, Romer James Cultura (COE)for Athletics, Danrelle Keth Indoc (CSM) for Music (vocals), and Benji Rojero (COE) for Sikap.
The commencement exercises were attended by members of the MSU System Board of Regents, and officials, Institute officials, and Heads of the academic and non-academic units.
