07/05/2025
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | ๐ ๐ ๐ฆ๐จ ๐๐ฆ ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ก๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐น๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ต๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด, ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด
The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through the Master in Public Administration (MAPA) Faculty of the Graduate School, hosted the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) students and faculty from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) in a dynamic benchmarking activity held on April 30, 2024, with the theme, Benchmarking and Knowledge Sharing: University Practices in Addressing Social Issues, Knowledge Management, and Policy Analysis.
๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ
Prior to the program proper, the delegates from UNP, headed by Dr. Buenafe Alinio, paid a courtesy call to the Office of the MMSU President. Due to the Presidentโs official commitments, the Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight, Dr. Meejay Domingo welcomed the visitors and led them on a brief orientation-tour of MMSUโs organizational structure and ACHIEVEMENT WALL, highlighting the universityโs milestones in leadership, research, instruction, and public service.
๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐
In a warm and heartfelt welcome, Dr. Margarita G. Hilario, Chair of the Public Administration Program of the MMSU Graduate School and a proud alumna of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP), expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her alma mater. She emphasized the significance of fostering partnerships anchored in the shared mission of public service.
Dr. Hilario was joined by fellow MAPA faculty members โ Dr. Bensen Pola, Prof. Herdy Yumul, and Prof. Orlino Mandac โ along with the Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Doreen D. Domingo.
She proudly noted, โWhile the MMSU Graduate School does not yet offer a Doctor in Public Administration (DPA) program โ a plan currently in progress โ the university is honored to share its practices in public administration, governance, and institutional development.โ
To formally open the program, Dr. Domingo delivered an inspiring message, underscoring the value of collaborative learning, innovation, and the power of shared experiences in advancing good governance in higher education.
๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ธ๐ป๐ผ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
The event featured a powerful lineup of presentations from the Graduate School faculty and administrators: "The Role of the University in Responding to Social Issues" by Prof. Herdy L. Yumul, Director of the Strategic Communication Office; "Best Practices in Knowledge Management: Development, Implementation, and Sustainability" by Prof. Wilben Christie R. Pagtaconan, Director of the Information Technology Center; "Policy Analysis: Concepts, Tools, and Applications"Prof. Orlino J. Mandac, Affiliate Faculty, Graduate School; and
The program also featured an Open Forum, where participants actively exchanged insights, challenges, and best practices in university policy-analysis and program administration.
๐ฆ๐๐ป๐๐ต๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐น๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐
In closing the session, Dr. Hilario synthesized the dayโs key insights and emphasized the importance of partnerships among academic institutions.
โToday reaffirmed an essential truth โ that strong institutions are built on visionary leadership, open knowledge sharing, and a deep commitment to public service,โ she said.
The benchmarking visit served as a meaningful avenue for reflection, inspiration, and continued collaboration between MMSU and UNP in promoting excellence in governance and public administration.
-with reports from Dr. Margarita Hilario