Provincial leaders from Sultan Kudarat recently engaged in discussions with officials from UP Manila (UPM), seeking assistance in the establishment of the Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) College of Medicine.

A bill for the establishment of the SKSU College of Medicine is already in Congress, subsequent to approval from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu revealed during the meeting. Technical assistance from UPM experts would significantly enhance the education and training of future healthcare professionals graduating from the SKSU College of Medicine, he said.

“In the last campaign period, I promised Sultan Kudarat that we will be having our own College of Medicine. I do not want to repeat that promise during next year’s campaign period. We believe that we will face the challenges with your guidance and support,” said Gov. Mangudadatu.

Chancellor Michael L. Tee acknowledged the new ties between Sultan Kudarat and
UPM and highlighted the need for state universities and colleges (SUCs) to band
together and share best practices and technological advancements essential for health professions education.

“Selecting qualified faculty members is crucial. Once chosen, these new faculty
members could also undertake a benchmarking tour at UP Manila,” Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Heizel Bernadette M. Reyes said.

After the meeting, the visiting delegation was given a tour of the College of Medicine, in the Department of Anatomy and the Clinical Simulation Laboratories in the Henry Sy Sr. building. In the simulation laboratories, visitors got a glimpse of the simulation mannequins that demonstrate real medical scenarios allowing students to gain practical experience before interacting with actual patients. The tour also included the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Physiology in Lara Hall.

During the tour, Chancellor Tee invited the Sultan Kudarat officials and members of its academia to utilize the wealth of teaching and learning resources available at UP Manila for the establishment of the SKSU College of Medicine.

Vice Chancellor Jose Tecson III also offered valuable advice on the significance of developing and executing a sustainability plan for the College of Medicine. He emphasized the importance of forging partnerships with other educational institutions as a key component of this plan.

The partnership between UP Manila and the provincial government of Sultan Kudarat is a first between the two institutions. It is anchored on the university’s accessible leadership and nation-building vision, which is being achieved through scholarly and technical collaboration with various agencies, including local government units and SUCs.

The visiting delegation from Sultan Kudarat also included 1st District Representative, Hon. Princess Rihan M. Sakaluran, 4Ps Partylist Representative JC Abalos, Sultan Kudarat Provincial Health Director Dr. Dave Bella, Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) President Dr. Jesusa T. Ortuoste, and SKSU College of Medicine incoming Secretary, Mandy Delfin.

Text by: Martin R. Racza
Photo by: Erlyn May U. Pareja