The Mariano Marcos State University is a multidisciplinary, state-funded institution of higher learning that serves the Ilocos region and its surrounding regions.

History

Established on January 6, 1978 by virtue of PD 1279 otherwise known as its Charter, Mariano Marcos State University was a merger of two growing state colleges in the province of Ilocos Norte: the Mariano Marcos Memorial College of Science and Technology (MMMCST) in Batac and the Northern Luzon State College (NLSC) in Laoag City. Also integrated were the tertiary level courses of the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in Pasuquin and the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades in Laoag. Even then, MMSU’s roots were anchored deep, its foundations strong and its beginnings proven historical turning points, as the predecessor institutions have existed as far back as the early 1900s.

Founding

MMMCST (1974) was founded as the Batac Farm School in 1906. It metamorphosed into the Batac Rural High School in 1918, the Ilocos Norte Institute of Technology in 1964 and MMMCST in 1974. The Currimao School of Fisheries, the Dingras National Agricultural School and the Ilocos Norte School for Craftsman in Paoay formed its satellite campuses.

On the other hand, NLSC started as an experimental vacation school of the Philippine Normal School in 1917. As its enrolment grew and its offerings became upgraded, it was renamed the Ilocos Norte Normal School in 1952, the Northern Luzon Teachers College in 1963 and NLSC in 1976.

On the establishment of the university in 1978, a master plan that incorporated environment–friendly land use and elegant architecture was executed, drawing expertise from national agencies and institutions. New academic units were created and program offerings were re-engineered in harmony with its vision and mission. Highly qualified faculty was recruited them to reputable institutions in the country and abroad. It became an active member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), the International Association of Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL), and the Association of Technological Education in the ASEAN (ATEAN). The United States Information Service (USIS) through the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center selected MMSU as seat of the American Studies Resource Center (ASRC) in Northern Luzon. These strong foundations were laid during the administration of Dr. Consuelo S. Blanco, the first president, whose leadership spanned from 1978 to 1983.

The university is relatively young compared to other state universities in the Philippines. However, MMSU’s root anchored deep, its foundation is strong, and its beginnings all proven historical turning points as far back as the early 1900s.

Academics and degree programs

To address key areas for social development outlined by the Office the President, the university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees from one of its nine colleges.

Graduate School

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctor of Education
• Master of Arts in Education
• Master of Education
• Master of Arts in Public Administration
• Master in Public Administration
• Master of Science in Rural Development
• Master of Rural Development
• Master of Arts in Nursing
• Master in Nursing
• Master of Science in Agriculture
• Master of Science in Engineering
• Master of Science in Biology
• Master of Agriculture
• Master of Science in Agroforestry
• Graduate Diploma

College of Agriculture and Forestry

• BS in Agriculture
• BS in Forestry
• BS in Development Communication
• BS in Home Technology
• BS in Agricultural Technology
• Bachelor of Agricultural Technology
• Diploma of Agricultural Technology
• Forest Ranger
• Technical Homemaking
• Associate in Home Technology
• Associate in Technical Homemaking

College of Arts and Sciences

• BS in Mathematics
• BS in Computer Science
• BS in Biology
• BS in Environmental Science
• AB in Sociology
• AB in English Studies
• BS in Chemistry

College of Business, Economics and Accountancy

• BS in Accountancy
• BS in Economics
• BS in Business Administration
  • Management Accounting
  • Marketing Management
  • Human Resources Development Management
  • Tourism Management
• BS in Cooperative Management
• BS in Entrepreneurship

College of Engineering

• BS in Agricultural Engineering
• BS in Ceramic Engineering
• BS in Chemical Engineering
• BS in Civil Engineering
• BS in Computer Engineering
• BS in Electrical Engineering
• BS in Electronics Engineering
• BS in Mechanical Engineering

College of Industrial Technology

• BS in Industrial Education
• BS in Industrial Technology (ladderized)
• B of Automotive Technology

College of Teacher Education

The College of Teacher Education is a separate entity under MMSU, officially the Mariano Marcos State University - College of Education Campus.

• Bachelor in Secondary Education
• Bachelor in Elementary Education
• Short-Term Programs

Student publication

SIRMATA is the official publication of the college students of Mariano Marcos State University. It is the oldest existing student publication in region 1, founded by Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico. Students who wants to become members of the editorial team must take a qualifying exam administered every academic year. A selection committee is created, as per pertinent provisions of Republic Act 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, who evaluate the applicants based on their written exams and group or one-on-one interviews. During the past years, SIRMATA has almost disappeared the editorial staff failed to come out with regular issues.

In academic year 1998-1999 SIRMATA was reinvented when Roger Cacayorin, a BS Development Communication student, assumed the paper's highest post as editor in chief, after serving as college correspondent during the previous year. At that time, the paper became witness of many student-centered events, on top of which was alleged sexual harassment by a top university official to an agriculture student.

When academic year 1999-2000 came, Cacayorin was still the paper's chief editor; the editorial staff decided to pick a new publications adviser. They unanimously selected Emile Kathleen Aguilar, a journalism professor at the Department of Development Communication of the College of Agriculture and Forestry. She is a graduate of BA in Mass Communications at the UP College of Baguio in Baguio City.

In 2010, the publication conducted its 1st SMAP Journalism Workshop in honor of its founder and is an annual gathering of student journalists.

Location

MMSU is in Ilocos Norte, a province in the northwestern part of Luzon Island, Philippines. Its main campus of about 300 hectares is in Batac City, 472 km from Manila.

MMSU doubles as a tourist destination, given its picturesque views and its rich educational and cultural endowments.

The tree-lined roads, from the twin gate down to the administration building and the five colleges, offer a refreshing welcome. Complete with wide, grass-carpeted commencement ground, the oval and tennis courts, and the Olympic-size swimming pool, its infrastructure such as the college buildings, the huge library, the university mansion, the theater and gymnasium, the training center, the housing units and the dormitories, it is truly one dynamic package.

MMSU maintains five other campuses. These are in Laoag City (two campuses), Currimao, Dingras and Paoay.

Integrated University Laboratory Schools

MMSU has high school departments. In July 2009, these high school departments went out from their mother colleges to form the Integrated University Laboratory Schools (IULS). UHS has two campuses: Laboratory High School - Laoag Campus and the University High School - Science Curriculum (also known as MMSU Science High School, Laboratory High School - Science Curriculum) in Batac City.

LHS Laoag is known for academic excellence and for their performance in different competitions. SHS Batac is known for having an advanced curriculum similar to the curriculum used by the Philippine Science High School and the DOST

Department of Science and Technology (Philippines)

The Philippines' Department of Science and Technology , abbreviated as the DOST, is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for the coordination of science and technology-related projects in the Philippines and to formulate policies and projects in the fields of science...

-accredited high schools. Science classes were formed through a Memorandum of Agreement between MMSU and Philippine Science High School during the administration of Dr. Santiago Obien.

Laboratory Elementary School

The Laboratory Elementary School of the university (MMSU-LES) has two campuses: one in Laoag City

Laoag City

The City of Laoag is a 1st class city in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. It is the capital city of Ilocos Norte, and the province's political, commercial, and industrial hub. It is the location of the Ilocos region's only commercial airport...

 and a new campus in Batac City, which comprises nursery, kindergarten and grades 1–3. It is said that the campus in Batac City will add one level every school year until grade six. LES is known for academic excellence and for their performance in provincial, regional, and national contests.

Presidents

• Dr. Consuelo S. Blanco, June 1978–May 1983: New academic units were created and program offerings were re-engineered in harmony with its vision and mission. Highly qualified faculty was recruited them to reputable institutions in the country and abroad. It became an active member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), the International Association of Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL), and the Association of Technological Education in the ASEAN (ATEAN). The United States Information Service (USIS) through the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center also selected MMSU as seat of the American Studies Resource Center (ASRC) in Northern Luzon. These strong foundations were laid during the administration of Dr. Consuelo S. Blanco, first president, whose leadership spanned the period from 1978 to 1983.
• Dr. Santiago R. Obien, June 1983–May 1986: Obien’s term enlarged the coast in research and extension and consolidated curricular offerings in the different campuses. Committed to bringing about a better life and education for all including farmers, homemakers and out-of-school youth, he launched the thrust on formal and non-formal education for technology transfer in agriculture, fisheries, arts and trades.
• Dr. Felipe B. Cachola, June 1986–May 1993: The stewardship of Cachola was guided by a transparent and participative management. Notable of which was the implementation of the United Nations Development Program–Food and Agriculture Organization (UNDP-FAO)–MMSU Project: "Strengthening the Development of Dryland Agriculture in the Ilocos" at the university forest reservation in Bgys. Payao and Sarnap, Batac. The accreditation by the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP) raised the quality of its offerings in education and agriculture both in the undergraduate and graduate levels. Key officials and middle-level management participated in a mobile seminar that brought them to SUCs in Luzon and Visayas.
• Dr. Elias L. Calacal, June 1993–May 1999: The leadership of Calacal brought on projects that effectively used hilly lands and sand dunes. The university was distinguished as Center of Excellence for Teacher Education in Region I while several programs reached Level II or III AACCUP accreditation. Facilities were improved and underused spaces were converted into well-furnished convention venues or dormitories. The theater was provided with non-expensive indigenous acoustic materials (fiberboard egg trays on the sides and ceilings, which proved to be decorative) and renamed Teatro Ilocandia.
• Dr. Saturnino M. Ocampo Jr., June 1999–December 2004: Ocampo’s term provided the culture of discipline especially on financial and time management; self-reliance; and observance of the 5S as an approach to achieving excellence. Course offerings were revised with the closure of non-performing ones. With board-approved organizational structure, unit heads were afforded the freedom to innovate, initiate reforms and make appropriate decisions. This resulted to three more centers of excellence/development, the conferment of scientist positions to five professors, outstanding performance in licensure exams, and quality refurbishment of physical facilities.
• Dr. Miriam E. Pascua, May 2005–present