P-Noy grants full university status to Kalinga state college

By Larry T. Lopez

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- KalingaApayao State College (KASC) finally got its full university status.

                  Former KASC President Eduardo T. Bagtang informed Carmelita P. Sison, director IV of the Commission on Higher Education and former CHED director Libertad Garcia it was confirmed during recent hearing of committee on higher and technical education of Congress that KASC had substantially complied with the operational requirements of a state university.

KASC’s quest to become a state university started through the initiative of Bagtang, who prepared the institution in complying with requirements when he assumed in 2006.

Through the efforts of Kalinga Rep. Manuel S. Agyao, President Benigno C. Aquino signed last May 24, 2013 Republic Act 10584, which provided for the conversion of KASC into Kalinga State University (KSU).

The law, however, provided that university status of KASC can only be awarded upon compliance of the six operation requirements that included CHED Level-3 Accreditation of at least four of KASC’s undergraduate programs, qualified full-time faculty-student ratio, adequate library and laboratory facilities, research and development, linkages and outreach programs and relevant academic policies, systems and processes.

Dr. Jovita Saguibo, incumbent KASC president, admitted the work to meet all the requirements for compliance was a big challenge. But the fruit was worth all the labor, she said.

Saguibo acknowledged other local officials who contributed  in meeting  the requirements like Gov. Jocel C. Baac for the release of P2 million fund from the provincial government for the purchase of library and laboratory facilities, Rizal Mayor Marcelo dela Cruz for the two-hectare KASC Rizal campus, Tabuk City Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban for the equipments in the ground improvement of KASC, Vice Gov. Allan Jesse C. Mangaoang for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan endorsement and CHED regional and central office for providing technical and financial assistance.

RA 10584 provides that for smooth transition, KASC’s incumbent president shall serve as first university president but within three months upon its operation as a university, the Board of Regents shall constitute the Search Committee for the President.