THE Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has approved the conversion of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) into the Mountain Province State University (MPSU) during a commission en banc meeting on Tuesday.

In a statement, CHEd said that the MPSPC has met and complied with the CHEd status for conversion to a state university as required by the law and based on the evaluation and validation of the CHEd's composite team.

The team examined the areas of compliance on enrolment, programs, faculty, research, learning resources and support structures, linkages, and outreach programs.

CHEd chairman J. Prospero de Vera III said the grant of the university status, being a distinctive honor, is only reserved to "deserving higher educational institutions in the country that have proven their excellence in instruction, research, and extension."

"On behalf of the commission, I congratulate the board, faculty and staff, and students of Mountain Province State Polytechnic College for your conversion from a college into a university. This is a testament to your continuous commitment to delivering quality education to the people of Mountain Province," de Vera said.

The law converting MPSPC into a university, Republic Act 12016, was passed in both houses of Congress and was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Aug. 1, 2024.

MPSPC president Edgar Cue thanked the law's sponsor, Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr., leaders of the province, CHEd officials led by de Vera and the school's board of regents, headed by CHEd commissioner Marita Canapi.

"Your commitment and contributions have been instrumental in achieving this milestone," Cue said.

Canapi, meanwhile, said that the entire school can celebrate its accomplishment of upholding high standards in delivering quality education, which was highlighted in the issuance of a 100 percent certificate of compliance for its improvement in its board passing rates for its programs.

"Certainly, MPSPC's landmark achievements will inspire the people of Mountain Province to prioritize tertiary education, which comes with value-added career opportunities, leading to a more promising tomorrow," Canapi added.

MPSPC, now MPSU, has campuses in the municipalities in Bontoc, Tadian, Bauko, Paracelis, and Barlig.

It is the only public institution of higher learning in the Mountain Province.

It offers 23 undergraduate and six graduate programs with an average enrollment of about 5,000 students per semester.