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-IIT’s 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.

CHED’s 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 various
accomplishments 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
 • 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
• DOST’s 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 Writer’s 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.Eng’g)
• 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 AY 2009-2010 AY 2010-2011

1 Sem
st
2nd Sem 1 Sem
st
2nd Sem 1 Sem
st

11149 10410 11168 11018 11790

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
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 IIT’s 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
Within IIT: University System: MSU System
Board of
1.College•Committee 5. Other Campuses
Regents
2.Institute•Committee 6. Univ. Curriculum

3.Institute•APC 7. University Council

4. Institute• Council

• 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, IIT’s cost center heads are up to SG 18 only.
The Institute’s 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.
 • 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 should
be brought to Marawi for the signature of the President.
• Contracts and MOAs have to be signed by the MSU President.

FAQ 4. Won’t we lose IIT’s 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 employee’s 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 …
 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: Won’t 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).
 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: Won’t 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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