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| Motto | One MSU aspires to achieve one goal for Academic Excellence[2] |
|---|---|
| Type | Public,research,state higher education institution |
| Established | September 1, 1961; 64 years ago (September 1, 1961) |
| Budget | ₱10.11 billion (2025)[3] |
| Chairperson | Shirley Agrupis |
| President | Paisalin P. Tago[4] |
Academic staff | 3,100[5] |
| Students | 69,000[6] |
| Location | ,, Philippines (Main Campus) 7°59′56″N124°15′31″E / 7.99889°N 124.25861°E /7.99889; 124.25861 |
| Alma Mater song | Himno ng Pamantasang Mindanao (Mindanao State University Hymn) |
| Colors | Maroon and Gold |
| Nickname | Royals |
| Mascot | Sarimanok |
| Website | www |
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| Himno ng Pamantasang Mindanao | |
Choral version of MSU Hymn Composed by Lucio San Pedro, Lyrics by Angelito Flores, Arranged by Ernesto "Bajo" Zaldua, Jr., and Performed by theMindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology The Octava Choral Society | |
Mindanao State University (MSU;Filipino:Pamantasang Pampamahalaan ng Mindanao[7]) is astatepublicuniversity system in thePhilippines, primarily serving the regions ofMindanao,Sulu, andPalawan (MINSUPALA). Established throughRepublic Act No. 1387, as amended by R.A. 1893, it is the first state university in the island of Mindanao and the second state-sponsored institution in the country, following theUniversity of the Philippines System.[8][9][2]
Mindanao State University was formally established on September 1, 1961 inMarawi City, the capital ofLanao del Sur, which was claimed to be the heart of Morolandia due to the city being the site of the reference point of all roads inMindanao.[10][2]The university was formally established with the first meeting of its Board of Regents inMarawi on August 19, 1961, that resulted into the election of the first president of the University in the person of Antonio Isidro, the then Vice President for Academic Affairs of theUniversity of the Philippines System.[8][2]
The Mindanao State University System has 8 constituent universities and 3 constituent colleges: MSU-Marawi, which serves as the system's main campus and is also referred to as MSU-Main,MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology,MSU-General Santos,MSU-Tawi Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography,MSU-Naawan,MSU-Sulu,MSU-Buug, MSU-Lanao National College of Arts and Trades, MSU-Maigo College of Education, Science, and Technology, and MSU-Lanao del Norte Agricultural College.[11]
Mindanao State University (MSU) was established on September 1, 1961, through RA 1387, as amended. It was the brainchild of the late SenatorDomocao Alonto, as one of the government's responses to the so-called "Mindanao Problem".
The original mission of the university was anchored on instruction, research, and extension. The 1954 Congressional Committee conceptualized it as a social laboratory for national integration.
The main campus in Marawi, which started with 282 students and 12 faculty members in its pioneering classes in 1962, has now grown to a multi-campus supra-regional university system, serving over 69,000 students in all levels with nearly 3,100 faculty members.
It is the only university directly charged by the government to advance the cause of national unity and actively pursue integration through education.
Today, MSU has units in areas which cut across the Mindanao regions. From a one campus university in Marawi, MSU has grown to a multi-campus system of eight autonomous universities: MSU-Main in Marawi, MSU-IIT in Iligan, MSU-TCTO in Tawi-Tawi, MSU-Naawan in Misamis Oriental, MSU-Maguindanao in Datu Odin Sinsuat, MSU-General Santos, MSU-Sulu in Jolo, and MSU-Buug in Zamboanga Sibugay.[12]
The mandates of the university are:
The initial batch of students to enroll in the University on June 13, 1962, passed the scholarship examination administered by the National Science Development Board. The 282 freshmen students were in the top 5% of their high schools in the MINSUPALA region in Bangsamoro. Their teachers were 12 regular Filipino faculty members and a number of volunteers from the U.S. Peace Corps, British Voluntary Service Overseas, Volunteers in Asia, Ford Foundation, Fulbright Foundation and others. Baccalaureate courses were offered by the pioneering colleges: Liberal Arts, Education and Community Development to which four more were added in the subsequent school year 1964–65 – Agriculture, Fisheries, Business Administration and Engineering. In July 1969, the College of Forestry was added.
To meet the growing demands of the region, 16 major colleges were created offering 248 courses.
On January 10, 2001, three CHED supervised institutions — Lanao del Norte Agricultural College (LNAC), Lanao National College of Arts and Trades (LNCAT), and Maigo School of Arts and Trades (MSAT) — were integrated into the MSU System by virtue of CHED Order No. 27 S. 2000 and Republic Act No. 8760.
Classes were temporarily suspended due to theBattle of Marawi, which started in May 2017. Some students, faculty, and personnel were evacuated to nearbyMSU-IIT in Iligan while others went home to their provinces during the ongoing conflict. The school was unable to hold summer classes in the campus. However, regular in-campus classes resumed in August of the same year after a successfulBalik MSU: Somombak Tano sa Pantaw a Mareg campaign to allow faculty and students to return to the campus amidst the ongoing war with security being strictly monitored. The battle in the city officially ended later in October.
On December 3, 2023, abombing occurred in Dimaporo Gymnasium during a Catholic mass. Four people were confirmed dead and at least 40 people were injured.[13] Classes were temporarily suspended until further notice;[14] as a result, students, faculty, and personnel were repatriated to their home provinces following the incident.[15][16] TheIslamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.[17]
The President of Mindanao State University is thechief executive officer of the Mindanao State University System,[18] and is appointed for a six-year term by thePresident of the Philippines.[19]
Since its founding in 1961, Mindanao State University has had 7 regular presidents, and 8 who served in an interim capacity. The longest-serving president wasMohamad Ali Dimaporo, who led the university in an acting capacity from 1976 to 1986 while concurrently serving asGovernor of Lanao del Sur.
Atty. Paisalin P. Tago, a member of theBangsamoro Parliament, currently serves as President of the MSU System after being appointed by PresidentBongbong Marcos on June 27, 2025.[20]
| No. | President | Term |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antonio Isidro | 1962–1969 |
| Alfredo Q. Primero | 1969–1970 | |
| 2 | Mauyag M. Tamano | 1970–1975 |
| Tocod Macaraya Sr. | 1974–1975 | |
| Mohamad Ali M. Dimaporo | 1976–1986 | |
| Mangingin D. Magomnang | 1986 | |
| 3 | Ahmad E. Alonto Jr. | 1987–1992 |
| 4 | Hadja Sittie Nurlalylah Emily M. Marohombsar | 1993–1999 |
| Diamael M. Lucman | 1999 | |
| 5 | Camar A. Umpa | 1999–2005 |
| Ricardo F. De Leon | 2005 | |
| Macapado A. Muslim | 2008–2010 | |
| 6 | Macapado A. Muslim | 2010-2016 |
| 7 | Habib W. Macaayong | 2016–2022 |
| 8 | Basari D. Mapupuno | 2022–2025 |
| Rasid M. Paca | 2025 | |
| 9 | Paisalin P. Tago | 2025–present |
The Board of Regents is the highest governing body of the Mindanao State University System.[19]
The Mindanao State University System is currently composed of eight constituent universities and three constituent colleges located around Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan (MINSUPALA).[11]
The campus in Marawi serves as the main campus of the University and is also referred to as MSU-Main.[23] Constituent universities are headed by a chancellor, who is elected for a five-year term.[11]
| Constituent university | Location | Chancellor | Campus land area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindanao State University - Buug | Buug,Zamboanga Sibugay | Dr. Sheila G. Magolama | 6 hectares (15 acres) |
| Mindanao State University - General Santos | General Santos,South Cotabato | Atty. Shidik T. Abantas | 156 hectares (390 acres) |
| Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology | Iligan,Lanao del Norte | Prof. Alizedney M. Ditucalan | 9 hectares (22 acres) |
| Mindanao State University - Maguindanao | Datu Odin Sinsuat,Maguindanao del Norte | Dr. Bai Hejira Nefertiti M. Limbona | 55 hectares (140 acres) |
| Mindanao State University[a] | Marawi,Lanao del Sur | Atty. Paisalin P. Tago[b] | 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres)[24] |
| Mindanao State University - Naawan | Naawan,Misamis Oriental | Dr. Elnor C. Roa, RChE | |
| Mindanao State University - Sulu | Jolo,Sulu | Dr. Nagder J. Abdurahman | |
| Mindanao State University - Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography | Bongao,Tawi-Tawi | Dr. Mary Joyce Z. Guinto-Sali |
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Colleges
High Schools
High Schools (External Units)managed by the Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
• MSU - Balindong Community High School
• MSU - Balo-i Community High School
• MSU - Binidayan Community High School
• MSU - Lopez Jaena Community High School
• MSU - Malabang Community High School
• MSU - Marantao Community High School
• MSU - Masiu Community High School
• MSU - Tamparan Community High School
• MSU - Taraka Community High School
• MSU - Tugaya Community High School
• MSU - Saguiaran Community High School
• MSU - Siawadato Community High School
• MSU - Wao Community High School
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
Northern Mindanao (Region X)
SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
| NCR | |
|---|---|
| Luzon | |
| Visayas | |
| Mindanao | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
