The 2nd State of the University Address of Dr. Joy M. Mirasol during the President’s Day 2025 on February 14, 2025

Maayad Ha Aldaw sa Atong Tanan!

In an old tale, a traveler came across three stonecutters working under the sun. He asked the first, ‘What are you doing?’

The man replied, ‘I am cutting stones.’

He asked the second, who said, ‘I am building a wall.’

 But when he reached the third, the man smiled and said, ‘I am building a masterpiece.’

We at  Bukidnon State University are not merely fulfilling tasks or meeting targets—we are building a future, shaping minds, and forging pathways for generations to come. Today, we gather to reflect on our journey and reaffirm our commitment to innovation, excellence, and service.

The past year has been a testament to our collective effort, driven by a vision that transforms aspirations into reality.

Through responsive governance, a digitally empowered and sustainable campus, elevated academic standards, groundbreaking research, an empowered workforce, and student-centered initiatives, BukSU has solidified its place as a forward-thinking institution.

Our achievements are not just milestones—they are the foundation of a stronger, smarter university. Let us now look back on our progress and set our sights on the future we are building together.

At Bukidnon State University, Smart Governance is more than just a principle—it is a commitment to efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

It is about ensuring that our institution is responsive to the needs of students, faculty, and stakeholders while upholding the highest standards of public service and financial sustainability.

This year, we have strengthened our governance framework through quality assurance, enhanced financial management, improved service delivery, and national recognition for excellence.

A cornerstone of Smart Governance is ensuring that our institutional processes meet global quality standards. In 2024, BukSU successfully secured ISO 9001:2015 recertification, reaffirming our commitment to a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Parallel to our efforts in maintaining quality, we have also achieved significant milestones in financial management and fiscal responsibility.

Our Budget Utilization Rate (BUR) for the Regular Agency Fund (RAF) increased from 97.39% in 2023 to 99.06% in 2024, while our Disbursement Utilization Rate (DUR) for RAF improved from 84.21% to 85.44%. These figures reflect our ability to efficiently allocate and utilize resources, ensuring that every peso spent contributes to the university’s mission.

Moreover, BukSU’s enterprise units have demonstrated outstanding growth, reinforcing financial sustainability:

Printing Press sales increased by 66.67% compared to 2023.

Economic Enterprise Unit revenue surged by 131.64%, supporting various institutional projects.

BukSU Hotel achieved an 82.78% growth in revenue, demonstrating the university’s capacity to sustain auxiliary services efficiently.

Service excellence is a fundamental aspect of Smart Governance, and our Service Quality Dimensions data for 2022, 2023, and 2024 provides valuable insights into client perceptions of service performance at Bukidnon State University. These dimensions include responsiveness, reliability, access and facilities, communication, value for money, integrity, assurance, outcome, and overall satisfaction.

The scores, which range from 4.75 to 4.83, reflect consistently high service quality across all three years. In 2024, BukSU recorded the highest ratings in most dimensions, with overall satisfaction rising from 4.81 in 2022 and 2023 to 4.83 in 2024.

Transparency and accountability are at the heart of our governance initiatives. This is evidenced by our 100% compliance and resolution rate in handling 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Center (CCB) concerns, reinforcing our commitment to public trust and responsive service delivery.

This positive upward trend in service quality demonstrates BukSU’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Our financial prudence and administrative efficiency were further recognized through our successful eligibility for the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) 2023.

Likewise, 89.67% of stakeholders rated our administrative plans, policies, and projects as satisfactory or acceptable, showcasing the positive impact of our governance reforms.

The launch of the BukSU Brand Logo and Brand Book has strengthened our institutional identity, ensuring a more cohesive and recognizable image for the university.

A modern university requires modern infrastructure and digital innovation.

In 2024, BukSU improved seven key institutional processes through ICT integration, with significant milestones including the launch of the BukSU One App and the soft launch of the Executive Dashboard, which will allow data-driven decision-making at all levels.

Sustainability remains a priority, and we are proud to have completed 32 green building infrastructure projects to support environmentally responsible development.

In 2024, BukSU completed 23 major infrastructure projects and 55 small value projects in the main and satellite campuses

These initiatives contributed to our improved UI Green Metric Ranking and our recognition in the WURI 2024 rankings.

Our commitment to energy efficiency has resulted in a 17.89% decrease in energy consumption, an achievement recognized through an award from BUSECO last July 27, 2024 for being one of its  Top Ten High Voltage Consumers.

Additionally, our expansion efforts were reinforced with a generous 4-hectare land donation from an alumni member.  The Quemado – Neary Campus, ensures that BukSU continues to grow to meet the needs of future generations.

At BuksU, excellence in education is at the core of our mission.

This year, we have made significant strides in accreditation and program compliance, demonstrating our commitment to maintaining high academic standards across all disciplines.

90.90% of accreditable graduate programs (10 out of 11) have achieved accreditation, reinforcing our dedication to advanced education and research excellence.

In our undergraduate programs, we have also achieved remarkable progress, with 87% (20 out of 23) of accreditable undergraduate programs in the main campus now accredited.

All satellite campuses have successfully undergone Preliminary Survey Visits, with the exception of Lantapan Campus, which is preparing for its evaluation.

BukSU has also achieved 100% compliance in obtaining Certificates of Program Compliance (COPC) for all 64 academic programs in the main and satellite campuses, further strengthening our institution’s standing in regulatory compliance and program quality.

Additionally, 31.25% (12 out of 64) of our academic programs have achieved Levels III-IV accreditation status, signifying excellence in program delivery, faculty qualifications, research output, and community engagement.

BukSU is also expanding its academic offerings. In a major milestone, we have submitted the requirements for the opening of our Doctor of Medicine program to CHED OPSD, following a successful onsite visit by the CHED X RQUAT Team. This marks a crucial step toward strengthening medical education and healthcare services in the region.

Additionally, BukSU continues to expand its reach, having opened its 16th satellite campus in Lantapan, with BS Tourism Management as its pioneer program.

In terms of faculty mobility, we are proud that 16 full-time faculty members participated in short-term international academic exchange programs.

Strengthening our industry linkages, BukSU established 108 academic-industry networks, ensuring our graduates are career-ready.

Our employability rate speaks for itself, with 52.09% of our graduates (two years prior) securing employment, exceeding our target of 39%.

Additionally, 60% (3 out of 5) of our board programs recorded passing rates consistently higher than the national average, surpassing our 50% target.

Lastly, 85.60% of first-time takers passed their licensure examinations, far exceeding our 60% benchmark.

Three of our faculty members have also secured external, fully funded graduate and post-graduate studies in the Netherlands, the United States, and New Zealand.

Finally, BukSU continues to align with national development goals, with 35.76% of our undergraduate students enrolled in CHED and RDC priority courses, surpassing our 24% target.”

These achievements reflect our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, ensuring that Bukidnon State University continues to provide top-tier education, produce globally competitive graduates, and contribute meaningfully to national development.

BukSU’s vision is clear—to be a center of academic excellence and innovation, preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.

Through Smart Education, we are ensuring that our students receive the best education possible, guided by global standards, forward-thinking policies, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

On Research and development, BukSU’s research and extension agenda continues to thrive.

We secured ₱300,000 in externally generated research funding thru the Center for Local Governance. 

We have published 21 internationally indexed journal articles and 23 completed research projects in 2024. Additionally, 56 full-time plantilla faculty members have published at least two research/creative works.

BukSU and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 officially launched the Advancing Research and Technological Innovation Fabrication Laboratory (ARTIFAB LAB) in Bukidnon on July 23, 2024.

This 4.6 million project is expected to assist more than 300 beneficiaries in the next two years.

The impact of our research is evident, with 51 research outputs cited nationally and internationally.

Meanwhile, our extension programs remain robust, with 42 active partnerships forged with LGUs, industries, NGOs, and SMEs.

More than 6,125 trainees have benefited from our extension training programs, with 99.64% rating them as satisfactory or higher.

There is no doubt that BukSU is a Learning Resource Center. For example, we were given a 5 Million Grant by CHED to conduct the Computer Science Training Program with Code.Org and benefitted 283 participants across 8 institutions in the country.

On the media front, DXBU 104.5 FM’s programs ‘Pag-Ambitay Daw Ag Kaulian’ and ‘Kaglambaga’ received top awards at the 18th UP Gandingan Awards.”

BukSU has strengthened its commitment to gender development and indigenous knowledge promotion.

As a higher education institution committed to gender equality, BukSU continues to ensure that its programs and policies uphold the principles of inclusivity, empowerment, and social justice. We  achieved:

100% compliance with all Gender and Development (GAD) requirements, reflecting the university’s dedication to institutionalizing gender-sensitive policies and initiatives.

Dr. Marichu B. Montecillo successfully passed the Philippine Commission on Women’s National GAD Resource Pool Batch 9 Certification Process, positioning BukSU as a key contributor in advancing gender mainstreaming efforts in the country.

Bukidnon State University remains at the forefront of preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge systems, integrating cultural heritage in education, and advancing research that reflects the unique identity of Bukidnon and Mindanao.

BukSU secured a ₱3 million grant to support the 1st BIGKIS Conference, a pioneering initiative aimed at strengthening Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) and fostering collaboration among higher education institutions, educators, and cultural advocates.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized BukSU as the Philippines’ Most Innovative Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Promoting Indigenous Peoples Education during the BIGKIS Conference. This prestigious award underscores BukSU’s leadership in advancing inclusive education and preserving cultural heritage.

In support of indigenous knowledge and cultural research, BukSU has produced 5 books or digital learning materials and curated 16 artifacts for Bukidnon/Mindanao Studies, further expanding resources for scholars and students studying local history, traditions, and cultural identity.

These accomplishments underscore BukSU’s unwavering commitment to bridging research, education, and heritage preservation, ensuring that indigenous knowledge is not only documented but also celebrated, sustained, and integrated into academic discourse.

At Bukidnon State University, our people are our greatest asset. Through Smart Workforce, we are committed to enhancing employee development, promoting well-being, and strengthening institutional visibility and recognition.

BukSU remains steadfast in ensuring that our workforce operates under a professional, efficient, and highly motivated system.

We maintained PRIME-HRM Level II status and actively working toward PRIME-HRM Level III, ensuring competency-based HR systems aligned with Civil Service Commission standards.

We launched the Mental Health and Well-Being Program, beginning with a university-wide workforce mental health survey to address well-being concerns and improve employee support systems.

Salient results of the survey indicate that: 70% of the respondents felt that they are treated with respect in BukSU.

Moreover, 60% said that BukSU values their contribution.

We owe our visibility to our workforce. For example, we climbed to 84th place out of 364 Philippine universities in the July 2024 Webometrics Ranking, rising 40 spots from 124th last year.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) recognized Bukidnon State University-Alubijid Campus with a Silver Award for its “Very Satisfactory” performance in the 2023 Report Card (RCS) 2.0.

BukSU was recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the International Affairs Services (IAS) during the Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards 2024

BukSU received the Prestigious eNGAS Inclusiveness Award for its outstanding implementation of digital financial management systems.

Through Smart Workforce, BukSU ensures a resilient, engaged, and future-ready workforce.

BukSU remains committed to student welfare and success. In 2024, 30.05% of students received academic scholarships, while 7.58% benefited from non-academic scholarships. Inclusivity efforts continue, with 423 students enrolled in the Affirmative Action Program, alongside 13 mental health activities conducted to support student well-being.

We are proud to share that BukSU ranked 7th out of 34 Philippine HEIs in the 2024 CHED  Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) Innovative Awards for Higher Education during the awarding ceremony in Quezon City on May 17. BukSU was recognized for “implementing a comprehensive and innovative Drug Education and Prevention Program.

Bukidnon State University has also been recognized as one of the Top 100 Universities in the Philippines, securing the 77th spot out of 229 universities nationwide in the EduRank 2024 rankings. Additionally, BukSU ranks 6th in Northern Mindanao, further solidifying our reputation as a premier higher education institution in the region. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our university’s excellence in research, academic reputation, and the impact of our alumni.

The strength of BukSU lies not in numbers alone, but in the spirit of its people—our faculty, staff, students, and partners.

Like a building under construction, we continue to build—brick by brick, achievement by achievement. We are not merely adapting to change; we are shaping the future of education, governance, and public service.

The journey ahead will have its challenges, but as today’s achievements prove, there are no limits to what we can accomplish together.

Let us move forward with confidence, unity, and an unrelenting commitment to building a better, brighter, and smarter Bukidnon State University.

Thank you.

(BukSU-Information Unit)