A Primer on House Bill No. 1743 and Frequently Asked Questions [Updated - August 31, 2010]

8/8/2019 A Primer on House Bill No. 1743 and Frequently Asked Questions [Updated - August 31, 2010]

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PRIMER ON HB NO. 1743:

This bill seeks to convert the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of

Technology (MSU-IIT) in the City of Iligan into a national state university to be known as the

Iligan National University.

The MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology is one of the top performing academic

institutions in the Philippines. The quality of its academic programs and graduates are being

recognized as at par with leading private and public universities in the country. For more

than ten years now, it is a reliable partner of the Commission on Higher Education, the

Department of Science and Technology and similar institutions, in the delivery and conduct

of relevant researches and development of quality human resources. MSU-IIT also serves

the needs of other academic institutions and industries in southern Philippines through its

tertiary and graduate degree programs in natural sciences, engineering, business, education

and social sciences.

In these last few years, IIT experiences difficulty in capitalizing on its strength and

boosting its growth and development being just an external unit of the Mindanao State

University system. Governance issues and policies formulated by its governing bodies are

usually designed to cut across campuses and external units which are in different conditions

and stages of development and with varying needs and challenges. Consequently, issues

and concerns crucial to MSU-IITs further growth, development and strategic positioning are

not given appropriate impetus.

FAQ 1: Why convert?

It is inherent to the continuing development of MSU-IIT as an institution. Historically, the

establishment of the school preceded the Mindanao State University. It was born in 1946 as

the Iligan Junior High School, then it grew to become the Lanao Technical School. By virtue

of Republic Act 4626 it became the Northern Mindanao Institute of Technology (NMIT).

Then it became part of the MSU with Republic Act 5363.

CHEDs evaluation in 2003 already disclosed that IIT is the most qualified to become a

University among fourteen colleges/institutes applying for conversion. From among the

applicants, only IIT passed the qualifications at that time. Thus, the variousaccomplishments that accumulated until the present times all the more positioned IIT in a

level of development worthy to become a full-fledged and independent university, as

evidenced by the following:

Institutional Achievements:

Consistently ranked among the top ten Higher Education Institutions (Public and

Private) in the country based on CHED and PRC evaluation

Center of Excellence in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Teacher Education

Center of Development in Engineering, Physics, and Information Technology


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Delivering Institution of CHED, DOST and Engineering Research and Development

for Technology (ERDT) programs

Member and the only one from Mindanao of the ERDT Consortia. ERDT is an elite

consortium of seven (7) top engineering schools in the country collaborating with

DOST for the advancement of engineering and technology research

DOSTs ICT Learning Hub for Northern Mindanao and Virtual Center for Technology

Innovation

AACCUP Level II-Reaccredited Arts and Social Sciences and Education Programs

AACCUP Level II-Accredited CBAA and Civil Engineering Programs

Top performing school in Engineering

Consistently placing second best performing school in Nursing. The College was

established only in AY 2005-2006 and the first batch of graduates was only in AY

2008-2009.

The only institution whose IT application/programs are used by other HEIs both

public and private The first campus of the MSUS to establish an e-learning center

World-class and world-renown cultural groups (IPAG, OCTAVA, Kalimulan)

Of the 3 Writers Center in the country, IIT is the only one in Mindanao

The most effective and productive Institute of Peace and Development for Mindanao

in the MSU System with numerous partnerships/collaboration with local, national

and international organizations/institutions.

Faculty Strength:

Faculty Profile as of 1st

Semester, AY 2010-2011 (Total 557)Ph.D. ( 96) 18%

MS/MA (304) 55%

BS (157) 27%

Programs/Course Offerings:

52 Undergraduate Programs (Baccalaureate and Diploma)

35 Masters Degree Program (MA, MS, M.Engg)

10 Doctorate Programs

The only Institution in Visayas and Mindanao to offer Doctorate programs in

Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering.

Enrollment/Student Population

AY 2008-2009

1st Sem 2nd Sem

AY 2009-2010

1st Sem 2nd Sem

AY 2010-2011

1st Sem

11149 10410 11168 11018 11790


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Research and Publication

The highest number of scientific articles published in ISI and refereed journals of

international circulation from Southern Philippines

CHED Zonal Research Center (CHED-ZRC) for Regions 9, 10, 12, CARAGA and Parts of

ARMM

Numerous paper presentations in local, regional and international scientific fora.

Extension

The most effective and productive Institute of Peace and Development of the MSU

System working with local, national and international organization/institutions as

partners.

The only HEI in the Philippines with a very successful and growing Coop. The MSU-IIT

MPC, which is among the top 40 among the more tan 2,000 Savings and Credit Coops

in the country, has 11 branches all over northern Mindanao with 28,000 members

and half a billion peso-assets (PhP 0.5B).

FAQ 2. What kind of university do we want? How different will it be from the present set-

up? What are the advantages of converting it into a national university?

IIT has proven its capability to be the National University in Southern Philippines

comparative to UP through its achievements, faculty strength, student population,

physical facilities and other factors. Thus it can provide the tri-people of Southern

Philippines quality state of the art education and help answer demands for globally-

competitive human resources. Specifically, we wanted to be a distinct national

university similar to UP in Southern Philippines which will have the following

features:

A President, not just a Chancellor, as its chief executive officer

Its own separate BOR with just 11 members, headed by the CHED Chair

Able to offer much needed market-driven and non-traditional cutting-edge

courses

A bigger additional budget share from the national government

Able to provide quality, state-of-the-art but affordable education for the

Filipinos in southern Philippines, particularly the Mindanaoans

A leading Research University

Have authority to apply for land grants

Enjoy privileges similar to those enjoyed by UP and its personnel

Have fast and easy decision-making processes


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FAQ 3. What are the disadvantages of being a part of the MSUS?

Being a part of the MSU System has become a hindrance to IITs full developments

exemplified in the following circumstances:

Proposals for new and innovative programs are always evaluated in terms of the

implementing capabilities of other units, many of which lag behind IIT.

Being in the system is no longer operationally efficient and effective for growth and

development due to several layers of bodies which will discuss and decide on

policies, programs/projects, promotions, etc.

For example, a simple curriculum revision designed to be responsive to the needs of

the times would require passing through seven (7) bodies before these can be submitted to

the Board of Regents for its consideration.

Proponent Unit: IIT

Within

MSU Marawi is still regarded as the mother or main campus; the other campuses,

including IIT, are just units. Grants intended for the University oftentimes end only

in MSU Marawi.

Viewed as just one university, MSU is provided only one item each for important

positions by Civil Service and DBM as just one University, MSU is provided only one

item each for important positions such as Registrar, Librarian, Chief Security, PPD

Director, Medical Director, HR Manager, IT Director, etc. and all of these are given to

MSU Marawi. Being just a unit of MSU, IITs cost center heads are up to SG 18 only.

The Institutes position items with SG 19 and above have been converted as Co-

terminus (CT) positions.

IIT suffers from penalties for breaches of contracts with external agencies committed

by faculty members of other MSU campuses.

Within IIT:

1.College Committee

2.Institute Committee

3.Institute APC

4. Institute Council

University System:

5. Other Campuses

6. Univ. Curriculum

7. University Council

MSU System

Board of

Regents


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IIT is adversely affected by the poor performance of other units of the MSU System

through reduced budget allocations by DBM.

Proposals for the offering of some new programs were obstructed.

Faculty promotions of faculty members for Associate Professorship and up have to

be reviewed by a so-called Technical Working Group composed only of MSU Marawi

people and the promotions are often delayed. MSU Marawi, which involves a very

long process.

The level of authority of the Chancellor of IIT in the MSUS Management Matrix is

very limited since he can sign contracts of up to PhP 2M only. All contracts beyond

PhP 2M have to be signed by the MSU President himself. Being part of MSU, MSU-IIT

has become vulnerable to the so-called Marawi politics.

Constricting bureaucratic procedures and policies, political interference

As a unit of MSU, we cannot apply for land grant

As an external campus cost center heads should only have a maximum salary grade

of 18, thus existing items beyond 18 are classified as CT positions. This is the reason

why the positions of Registrar, Librarian, Chief Security, PPD Director, Medical

Director, HR Manager, IT Director were deleted in our plantilla of personnel. Being

viewed as just one university, all these said positions are given to MSU Marawi.

Level of authority of the Chancellor in the MSUS Management Matrix is very limited

since he can only sign contracts up to PhP 2M. All contracts beyond PhP 2M shouldbe brought to Marawi for the signature of the President.

Contracts and MOAs have to be signed by the MSU President.

FAQ 4. Wont we lose IITs privileges as part of MSU?

No. Section 22 provides to carry-over and retain all these privileges currently

enjoyed by IIT and its employees. Also, the bill ensures the widest participation and

consultations in the formulation of new policies through the three councils where all

sectors are represented.

Sections 19, 20, 21, and 22 of the Bill provide protection and opportunities for the

enhancement of employees privileges.

Sec.21. Grant of Special Allowances. In order to continue to attract and maintain an

excellent pool of teaching personnel, all faculty members of the University may be

granted special allowances upon approval of the Board, up to a maximum amount

equivalent to one hundred percent (100%) of the basic monthly salary specified for their

respectively salary grades under Republic Act No. 6758, as amended, otherwise known

as the Salary Standardization Law.

The grant of special allowances may initially be implemented upn approval of the

Board uniformly in such sums or amounts equivalent to ten percent (10%) of the


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Sec. 22.Assets, Liabilities and Personnel. All assets, fixed and movable records,

personnel and funds of the of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of

Technology, as well as liabilities and obligations, are hereby transferred to the University

unconditionally and without exception are hereby deemed absorbed into the staff of the

University, with all their rights and privileges carried over and these shall neither be

diminished nor altered as a consequence of this Act.

FAQ 5: Can we not upgrade while we are still a part of MSUS?

No. The problems of IIT are largely caused by the system governance and from the

fact that campuses are in different environments and levels and conditions of

development. Policies proposed by IIT to address its pressing needs are not

approved because other campuses are unable to implement them. Curricular

revisions, even just a change in course content in order to be responsive to present

needs, have to approved by the other campuses.

FAQ 6: Why change the name into IIT National University (IITNU)

IIT has already marked or branded as synonymous with quality, recognized not

only nationally but also internationally.

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, which was converted into a

university after 123 years of existence, retained the name RMIT and became RMIT

University. Also, Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) retained its name instead of

changing to Malayan University because of the value of the name.

FAQ 7: Wont this move lead to the

Disintegration of the MSU System?No. IIT is only one campus. MSU System has 10

other campuses with their own respective thrusts and strengths.

Localization/politicization of IIT?No. The proposed bill ensures that IIT will maintain

not only its present character and stature but in fact aims to upgrade itself into a

National University in Southern Philippines. Also, the structure of the Board of

Regents in the bill guarantees that governance is free from local politics.

Privatization/Commercialization of IIT?No. The bill stipulates that IIT will remain a

state university, the mandate of which is to make quality education accessible and

affordable to the people of Southern Philippines.

Increase of Tuition and Other Fees? No. Increase in tuition is not automatic. Any

increase in tuition and other fees will be done only after a thorough consultation

with all sectors concerned, especially the students. This is enshrined in the bill.

Moreover, the bill provides for scholarship programs and other affirmative action

programs to assist poor but deserving students in all disciplines. IPs will be given

preferential treatment.

Decrease in Salaries and Other Benefits? No. We are covered by the Salary

Standardization Law. The bill ensures that there is no diminution in salaries and

other benefits (Section 22). In fact, the bill allows the granting of special allowances

to ensure the retention of the most qualified personnel (Section 21).


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The bill even assures additional funds to the new university, being national in scope

as reflected in the title itself. (As in the case of the Mindanao University of Science

and Technology (formerly MPSC in Cagayan de Oro City)

FAQ 8: Wont this move affect Muslim-Christian relations?

No. The move to an independent universityhood is a product of growth and

development process and therefore should not be viewed as anti-Muslim. In fact,

IIT, among all other campuses of the MSUS is the most active in promoting peace

and development, multiculturalism, dialogue, and through its Institute of Peace and

Development for Mindanao (IPDM), and will remain so.

IITNU will always continue to promote harmonious relationships among all peoples

in Mindanao.

FAQ 9: What will be the benefits of the conversion to students?

Assured representation in the Board of Regents and Councils. (Section 3.g, 16.b)

Equal access to quality, market-driven, and cutting-edge academic programs, e.g.

Mechatronics, Bio-informatics, Animation, Film and Production, Communication

Arts, Development Communication, Culinary Arts, etc. (Section 2.a)

More academic scholarships in all disciplines, e.g. Political Science, History,

Accountancy, Education, Marketing, etc. (Section 18)

Faster implementation of curricular revisions.

With bigger budget, better facilities and more academic programs for the students.(Section 24)

Better chances for poor but deserving students through scholarships and socialized

tuition schemes. (Section 18)

IITNU will have its own distinct representations to inter-university/state

competitions, fora, etc.

There will be no immediate increase in tuition and other fees as a result of the

conversion. A socialized scheme of fees will also be formulated and adopted to give

greater access to poor but deserving students. (Sections 4.o and p)

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Documents

A Primer on House Bill No. 1743 and Frequently Asked Questions [Updated - August 31, 2010]