In the relentless pursuit of brilliance in quality education and service, STI Negros University (STIWNU) has been granted autonomous status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). As pursued by CMO No. 7, Series of 2024, the autonomous status is set to be in effect for STIWNU to take the helm of the education system in the nations.
Dr. Ryan Mark Molina, executive vice president and chief operating officer at STIWNU says, "This achievement confirms that efforts over the past decade are aligned with our mission to serve both our students and the community".
Then after evaluation by the CHED Regional Office VI and the Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance, it automatically becomes one of the 77 independent universities in the country and the first from the STI campuses.
Privileges. Benefits of autonomous universities entail privileges that can include priority access to government funding and scholarships that can improve facilities and resources. They are also exempt from specific graduate documentation processes, that would help the graduate to transition into the workforce or any other undertaking more effectively. Additionally, they also enable them to engage in international collaborations, which ensures their students engage in very important global participation.
As Dr. Molina pointed out, STIWNU has undertaken proactive initiatives in the last few years: "We have focused on ensuring that our programs meet accreditation standards and ISO requirements, investing significantly in facility upgrades, research advancements, and community engagement efforts.
According to Atty. Monico V. Jacob, STIWNU board chairman, in 2015, strategic planning for the university was aimed at making the institution one of the best institutions on Negros Island and pursuing autonomy status. He further elucidated: "Our objectives included promoting academic excellence, creating centers of excellence, being the preferred choice for basic education, enhancing professional development through exceptional continuing education, and increasing our visibility in Asia.".
STIWNU has always proven its excellence: it has been granted Level IV accreditation by the Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) for six academic programs, namely: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Liberal Arts, Bachelor in Elementary Education, Bachelor in Secondary Education, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Arts in Education.
In particular, all of the STIWNU programs have obtained accreditation in an Educational Organization Management System under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 21001:2018, proof of the willingness of the institution to observe international standards for education.
It grants the status of autonomous universities if they top the board exams, and their output is employed extensively; it is quite strong in curriculum. The academic freedom gives them powers in the institutions so that the colleges can evolve the courses and take international collaborations-their current collaborations coming at multiple levels.
