A premier Philippine university by 2028

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the leading institution of higher learning in the northern Philippines, was founded in 1978 to provide advanced instruction in the arts, agricultural and natural sciences, and technological and professional fields.

MMSU’s mandate is to provide advanced instruction in the arts, agricultural and natural sciences, and technological and professional fields.

MMSU’s 300-hectare main campus is located in the heart of the City of Batac, a peaceful young city conducive for educational and rural development. The university also has campuses in Laoag City, and in the towns of Currimao and Dingras. MMSU offers 66 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Majority of these programs are accredited at various levels by an evaluation body for state universities and colleges. It is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Center of Excellence (COE) in Teacher Education, and Center of Development (COD) in Agriculture, Biology, Forestry and Information Technology Education. It has also been chosen as one of the few National Universities for Agriculture and Fisheries Education in the entire Philippines.

To date, MMSU has 11 academic units: Graduate School (GS), College of Law (COL), College of Medicine (COM), College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA), College of Engineering (COE), College of Health Sciences (CHS), College of Industrial Technology (CIT) and College of Teacher Education (CTE). These are distributed in six campuses : main campus (Batac), campus 2- Laoag, campus 3- Laoag, campus 4-Currimao, campus 5- Dingras, and campus 6-Paoay. The main campus houses seven academic units: COL, COM, CAFSD, CAS, COE, CBEA, CHS; campus 2, CTE and GS; campus 3, CIT; and campus 4, CASAT. The two other campuses, campus 5 and 6, are satellite campuses of CAFSD and CIT, respectively.

Mission

To develop virtuous human capital and sustainable innovations in a knowledge-driven global economy

Key Focus Areas

The University actively engages in research, development, and innovation initiatives that support key aspects of agricultural development. Sustainable farming is the primary focus, driving efforts to generate and promote environmentally responsible practices, coupled with a transformative extension system. Priority commodities include garlic, indigenous food plants, mango, and goat, among others.

Notable Activities and Achievements

Flagship Programs and Research

Research

About the University Research Program: Research is an integral component and function of the University. It is one of the main concerns under the office of the Vice President for Research, Extension and Business (OVPREB). The University Research Program is coordinated by the Research Directorate which seat of administration is at the Crops Research Laboratory compound, Batac campus.

Research Focus: Research is centered on advancing the understanding and optimization of key agricultural commodities such as corn, garlic, tomatoes, and more. We strive to enhance sustainable farming practices, improve crop yields, and promote innovative solutions that benefit both producers and consumers. Through data-driven methodologies and collaboration with industry experts, our work aims to address global food security challenges while fostering economic growth in agricultural sectors.

Research Centers: The University’s research program is geared toward the development of cutting-end technologies with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable and inclusive development. It has several research centers take the lead in multi-disciplinary studies and the development of cutting-edge technologies to catalyze regional development, focusing on diverse areas of interest, such as biofuels and renewable energy, crop productivity and improvement, plant genetic resources conservation and management, engineering and information technology, business and industry, environment and climate change, health, and education.

Extension Initiatives

Extension Directorate: The Extension Directorate aims to serve the general public through non-formal education and promotional activities to disseminate knowledge-based technical information and to transfer appropriate technologies. It is through extension that the University shares to the general public its intellectual resources of ideas, information, research results generated, and technologies developed.

Mission: MMSU, through the Extension Directorate, shall endeavor to make information and technologies work for people by extending to the general public or specific target clientele its available material and human resources, intellectual capabilities, meaningful research outputs, and appropriate technological inventions and discoveries. These resources shall be shared to induce and realize holistic, profound, and balanced transformation of the beneficiaries and their communities geared towards sustainable development.

Vision: Through a deliberate extension service/technology promotion and utilization program, MMSU shall become a University for all by contributing significantly to the development of empowered citizens equipped with dynamic rational decision-making and action-oriented capabilities who work more productively and efficiently for improved socio-economic life and sustainable development.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Contact Details

Dr. Charlie B. Batin

Dean, College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development

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Dr. Sean R. Vidad

Chairperson, Department of Agricultural Sciences

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