Mindanao State University – General Santos recently held its Ceremonial Launching of the College of Medicine on January 31, 2022 at the Audio-Visual Room, Graduate School.
“It is a dream come true,” OIC-Chancellor JD Usman D. Aragasi remarked in his welcome address. “This is not only beneficial to a very small sector but…MSU-Gensan College of Medicine is designed and programmed to serve our marginalized sectors in society.” He also added that what made the College of Medicine a reality is the concerted efforts of all the MSU System and MSU-Gensan officials, national, district and local government units and their officials and all other stakeholders who worked tirelessly in the creation of the College.
Thereafter, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Mishell D. Lawas recited the contents of the BOR Resolution for MSU-Gensan to establish its own independent College of Medicine and the CHED Resolution granting its Authority to Operate. Following this, VCAA Lawas proudly presented the College of Medicine’s administration and its esteemed faculty members.
In his message of commitment, the Dean of College of Medicine Dr. Edwin A. Alconcel noted that the ceremonial opening is a milestone not only for the College and Mindanao State University but also for the entire Region XII. He also looks forward as this will be the start of “new learnings and new beginnings.” “The establishment of MSU-Gensan College of Medicine will be the start of an era of excellence and advancement that will leave its mark in the campus and beyond,” Dean Alconcel further remarked.
MSU-System President Dr. Habib W. Macaayong graced the event and emphasized the significance of the establishment of the College of Medicine. “This is indeed a blessing to establish a College of Medicine here in General Santos City since we are the first in the region.” He also thanked the medical practitioners in MSU-Gensan for accepting the challenge of being the pioneering faculty members of the College of Medicine. The President ended his talk leaving a challenge to MSU-Gensan, “I would like to challenge also the MSU-Gensan administration to keep this College of Medicine well and I encourage also the faculty members to help the MSU-Gensan administration in keeping the College of Medicine very well.”
Following the cultural presentation of MSU Kabpapagariya Ensemble, a message of support was delivered by Hon. Shirlyn L. Banas-Nograles, South Cotabato 1st District Representative. “Today, we have proved to our ancestors, our families, our friends, our neighbors and the rest of the world that the city of General Santos is more than just capable of hosting a medical institution that will determine the best minds into becoming doctors someday and, of course, at the cheapest cost.” Hon. Banas-Nograles who pushed to legislate acts in support of the autonomy and project funding of the College also dedicated a part of her speech to the former Chancellor Dr. Anshari P. Ali who shared the common desire with her to locally produce its very own doctors. At the end, she assured everyone that she will remain deeply committed to supporting the programs and projects of MSU-Gensan.
In her speech, City Councilor Hon. Rosalita T. Nunez believes that the establishment of the College creates big opportunities for the students, particularly the Moro and Indigenous Peoples. “That is why this will really be a big opportunity for our very intelligent students. Maybe six years after or seven years after, we’ll produce medical doctors because of Mindanao State University and more of our Muslim brothers and sisters and those coming from our Indigenous Peoples communities will also be doctors because of the accessibility of the school.”
On the other hand, Dr. Zohrahaydah Panawidan representing Dr. Nelia A. Alibin, Regional Director of CHED XII, delivered a speech to congratulate the launching of the College. “With this, MSU-Gensan being the first state university here approved by CHED to offer the Doctor of Medicine through CHED Resolution No. 770-2021 which is enacted on December 23, 2021, I ensure this success will push other prospective HEIs to offer Doctor of Medicine.” “I wish that the program will have more students…that will graduate and will become licensed and passionate doctors. I wish that the MSU-Gensan will continue to grow both in academic and non-academic endeavors,” she added.
Finally, the OIC-Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Prof. Sheila J. Loable extended her gratitude to all the MSU-Gensan constituents, MSU-System delegates, government officials and all of those who were behind the success of the event. VCPD Loable ended her speech with high hopes for the College and a challenge to MSU-Gensan in producing well-rounded doctors. “The bigger challenge on our part is how we will transform our students into holistic medical doctors in the region after five years.” She is also looking forward that the College will produce topnotchers in the Physician’s Licensure Examination just like how the MSU-Marawi College of Medicine has done in the past years.
Also present during the ceremonial launching were City Mayor Ronnel Rivera represented by Atty. Donna Ann T. Balboa, Mdm. Rehana Pamela M. Macaayong, the better half Pres. Macaayong, Faculty Regent of MSU System Dr. Mario J. Aguja, Vice President for Planning and Development of MSU System Dr. Labimombao A.D. Macabando, MSU BOR Secretary Atty. Shidik Abantas, Asst. Vice President for Planning & Development of MSU System Prof. Oding Lacoto, Former Chancellor of MSU-Gensan Atty. Abdurrahman T. Canacan, OIC-Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Nurleila G. Canacan, other MSU-System delegates and deans and directors of MSU-Gensan.
The ceremonial launching of the College of Medicine is indeed a historical feat not just for MSU-Gensan but also for the City of General Santos, the Province of South Cotabato and the Region XII. The College will be welcoming its first batch of 50 medical students who successfully passed the stringent selection process administered by the University. The classes for the commencement of the academic year will officially start on February 7, 2022.
