Mariano Marcos State University


The Mariano Marcos State University is a multidisciplinary, state-funded institution of higher learning that serves the Ilocos Region and its surrounding regions in the Philippines.

History

Established on January 6, 1976 by virtue of PD 1279 otherwise known as its Charter, Mariano Marcos State University was a merger of two growing state colleges in the province of Ilocos Norte: the Mariano Marcos Memorial College of Science and Technology in Batac and the Northern Luzon State College in Laoag City. Also integrated were the tertiary level courses of the Ilocos Norte Agricultural College in Pasuquin and the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades in Laoag. Predecessor institutions have existed as far back as the early 1900s.

Founding

MMMCST was founded as the Batac Farm School in 1906. It metamorphosed into the Batac Rural High School in 1918, the Ilocos Norte Institute of Technology in 1964 and MMMCST in 1974. The Currimao School of Fisheries, the Dingras National Agricultural School and the Ilocos Norte School for Craftsman in Paoay formed its satellite campuses.
On the other hand, NLSC started as an experimental vacation school of the Philippine Normal School in 1917. As its enrolment grew and its offerings became upgraded, it was renamed the Ilocos Norte Normal School in 1952, the Northern Luzon Teachers College in 1963 and NLSC in 1976.
It became an active member of the International Association of Universities, the International Association of Institutions of Higher Learning, and the Association of Technological Education in the ASEAN. The United States Information Service through the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center selected MMSU as seat of the American Studies Resource Center in Northern Luzon. These strong foundations were laid during the administration of Tyssa Gappi, the first president, whose leadership spanned from 1978 to 1983.

Renaming

In 2019, there are plans to rename the University to Ferdinand E. Marcos State University, to stop the confusion between the 2 same named Universities. The law was passed to final reading.

Academics and degree programs

To address key areas for social development outlined by the Office of the President, the university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees from one of its nine colleges.

Graduate School

The College of Teacher Education is a separate entity under MMSU, officially the Mariano Marcos State University - College of Education Campus in Laoag City. It is also one of the Normal Schools in the Philippines.
SIRMATA is the official publication of the college students of Mariano Marcos State University. It is the oldest existing student publication in region 1, founded by Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico.
In 2010, the publication conducted its 1st SMAP Journalism Workshop in honor of its founder and holds an annual gathering for student journalists.
There are also existing publications of the different units of the university.

Literary Folio

In 1998, the first ever literary journal separate and distinct from the regular tabloid issuance of Sirmata was produced. The first consolidation and production of a literary journal entitled "Anthology" was spearheaded by Sirmata Literary Editor Florante Nicolas, also a BS Development Communication student who was also the concurrent editor-in-chief of "The Sentinel". Thereafter, succeeding literary editors of Sirmata produced an annual series of literary collection.

Location

MMSU is in Ilocos Norte, a province in the northwestern part of Luzon Island, Philippines. Its main campus of about 300 hectares is in Batac, 472 km from Manila.
MMSU maintains five other campuses. These are in Batac, Laoag City, Currimao, Dingras, and Paoay. In Laoag is the College of Education or the College of Teacher Education and the College of Industrial Technology.

Integrated University Laboratory Schools

MMSU has high school departments. In July 2009, these high school departments went out from their mother colleges to form the Integrated University Laboratory Schools. UHS has two campuses: Laboratory High School - Laoag Campus and the University High School - Science Curriculum in Batac.
LHS Laoag is known for debate tournaments both national and international arenas. SHS Batac is known for having an advanced curriculum and academic excellence similar to the curriculum used by the Philippine Science High School and the DOST-accredited high schools. Science classes were formed through a Memorandum of Agreement between MMSU and Philippine Science High School during the administration of Dr. Santiago Obien. SHS has been active in joining various contests of different fields and have gathered numerous awards.

Laboratory Elementary School

The Laboratory Elementary School of the university has two campuses: one in Laoag City and a new campus in Batac, which comprises nursery, kindergarten and grades 1-3. It is said that the campus in Batac will add one level every school year until grade six. LES is known for academic excellence and for their performance in provincial, regional, and national contests.

Performing Arts

MMSU Stallions varsity teams:

Presidents