By Alexia Hernandez
As issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Silliman University (SU) sustained its autonomous status through the CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 6 s. 2024.
The autonomous status is effective for a three-year period, spanning from Sept. 16, 2024 until Sept. 15, 2027.
The memorandum reflects the university’s performance and achievements from July 1, 2019 to Sept. 15, 2023, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
SU President Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann stated that the institution meeting the qualification standards for an autonomous status granted this level of recognition.
“Being an autonomous institution is really more of a recognition of what we have already achieved and what we have done in the [past] […] It is not something we are applying for to get the recognition but it is more on [CHED] saying that we have met the quality standards for running the university,” McCann stated.
McCann also added that this autonomous grant is maintained because of the university’s “key features.”
“Some of those key features would be to what extent we are able to meet the quality standards in the way we run our various programs and services. Having our own students exposed to international students is also a plus factor and the number of programs that are accredited,” McCann noted.
She also mentioned that the accredited programs offered, considered to be Centers of Excellence and Centers of Developments, have emulated this autonomous grant.
On maintaining the status, Dr. Margaret Helen Alvarez, SU interim vice president for academic affairs and research, mentioned that SU is complying with the standard in education that is widely accepted by CHED.
“We have been autonomous for the longest time, there was a bit of a [lull] because of the pandemic. In a way, the recognition is not a surprise, it really has to do with our image and reputation,” Dr. Alvarez stated.
Moreover, 76 universities in the country also received the same status. SU is among the 5 universities in Region 7 that were granted this status.
“The 77 autonomous private universities represent the best of the best among our higher educational institutions, producing world-class graduates and are included in international rankings. I urge other private universities to benchmark and emulate the programs and practices of these top universities,” CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera said.
Included in the list of universities under Region 7 are Cebu Institute of Technology – University, University of San Carlos, University of San Jose – Recoletos, and University of Visayas – Main.
