Mariano Marcos State University

        The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the leading institution of higher learning in northern Philippines, was founded in 1978 to provide advanced instruction in the arts, agricultural and natural sciences, and technological and professional fields.

        Envisioned to be a premier Philippine university by 2028, MMSU aims to develop virtuous human capital and sustainable innovations in a knowledge-driven global economy.

        Through the years, the university has defined itself through excellence in its core functions: instruction, research, extension, and resource generation. It is recognized as a model for the rest of the SUC system in the Philippines for its notable R&D activities, international linkages, and commercialization of innovations.

        MMSU's main campus is located in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, a relatively peaceful young city conducive to educational and rural development. Its other campuses are located in Laoag City, Currimao, Paoay, and Dingras.

        MMSU primarily serves the people of the province of Ilocos Norte (2015 pop.:593,000) and its neighboring provinces - Ilocos Sur and Cagayan. Yet, the high quality of education, inclusive and conducive environment, and diverse opportunities for self-enhancement lure students and professionals from other places beyond the Ilocos region and the Philippines to study, train, or simply explore MMSU.

        In recognition of its expertise, MMSU has also been tapped by various agencies as training service provider. It is a delivering institution for the Public Procurement Specialists' Certification Course of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), as well as the Public Financial Management Competency Program of DBM and the Bureau of Treasury.

        MMSU enjoys a reputation of excellence among higher education institutions in the country. It is classified as a Level 4 University (SUC Level IV) in a 5-level classification system of the Philippine state universities, and one of the 19 out of the 111 universities with level 4 status.

        The university is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as one of the few National Universities of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Philippines. It is also a CHED Center of Excellence (COE) in Teacher Education, and a Center of Development (COD) in four other disciplines, namely: 1) Agriculture; 2) Biology; 3) Forestry; and 4) Information Technology.

        The University continues to improve its service delivery through subjecting itself to accreditation by external agencies. In 2014, MMSU was granted Institutional Accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), becoming the first state university to be accredited using the agency's Outcomes-Based Evaluation Instrument. Recently, the MMSU has been ISO 9001:2015 certified.

        MMSU is making bold and innovative strides in order to attain its Seven-Point Agenda to ACHIEVE:

• Academic Excellence;
• Creative, relevant, and innovative research programs;
• High impact and transformative extension and outreach programs;
• Improved revenue generation and resource management;
• Expanded external linkages and partnerships;
• Vibrant and nurturing learning environment;
  
• Effective and efficient management systems.