QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10600)
R.A. No. 10600 integrated (1) Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) in Surigao City, (2) Siargao National College of Science and Technology (SNCST) in Del Carmen, and (3) Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology (SNCAT) in Mainit— all in Surigao del Norte.
The main campus is in Surigao City. Extension campuses are in Del Carmen, Mainit, and Malimono (all in Surigao del Norte).
It primarily provides advanced education and higher technological/professional instruction and training, particularly in specified fields (including agriculture, environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine/health-related programs, IT, arts and sciences), and it undertakes research and extension services and provides progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.
It is pursuant to paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution.
It may offer undergraduate and graduate courses within its areas of specialization, including (but not limited to) agriculture/environmental studies, fishery, engineering, forestry, industrial technology, education, law, medicine/health-related programs, information technology, arts and sciences, and other related fields the Board of Regents may deem necessary.
They must be transferred to the jurisdiction and supervision of the Department of Education (DepED). However, they may remain and operate within the University campus until the currently enrolled students complete high school.
Yes. The University may operate a reasonably-sized laboratory school under its College of Education.
The administration of the University and exercise of its corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the University President.
The Board includes: (1) the Chairperson of CHED (Chairperson), (2) the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education and Arts and Culture, (3) the Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, (4) the Regional Director of NEDA, (5) the Regional Director of DOST, and (6) the Regional Director of DA—plus the President of the University (Vice Chairperson) and sectoral/private sector members as specified.
The Board appoints three prominent citizens from a list of at least five qualified persons in the province, based on recommendations of a search committee constituted by the University President in consultation with CHED and other Board members. They serve for a term of two (2) years from the date of appointment.
The Board regularly convenes once every three (3) months. Special meetings may be called with three days’ prior written notice (maximum two within the same period). Quorum is majority of all members holding office, but the Chairperson of the Board or the President must be present. If the Chairperson of the CHED is absent, the law provides a designation of a CHED representative.
The President is appointed by the Board upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee, subject to guidelines, qualifications, and standards set by the Board. The term is four (4) years, eligible for reappointment for another term.
To effect smooth transition, the incumbent President of the SSCT shall serve as Officer-in-Charge pending appointment of the first President of the University.
The Board may fix tuition and necessary school charges after due consultations. These fees and charges, including government subsidies and other University income, constitute special trust funds deposited in an authorized government depository bank; interests accrued form part of the same funds. The law also states that income generated by the University from tuition and auxiliary services/land grants is retained by the University and may be disbursed by the Board for University programs, with fiduciary fees disbursed for the specific purposes collected.
All assets, personnel, records, and liabilities/obligations of the SSCT, SNCST, and SNCAT are transferred to the University; faculty and personnel security of tenure and positions under existing laws are respected. Parcels of government land occupied by those colleges are declared property of the University and shall be titled under SNSU. If the University ceases or land is no longer needed, the parcels revert to the national government.
Importation of economic/technical/cultural books/publications for specified purposes, certified by the CHED regional office/appropriate body, is exempt from customs duties under the Tariff and Customs Code. Donations to the University are exempt from donor’s tax and deductible from gross income for income tax purposes under the NIRC.
Even if the law is approved, effectivity is conditioned: establishment/conversion becomes effective only upon CHED determination and declaration—based on a panel of experts’ recommendation—that the institution complied with requirements for university status. If not yet compliant, the institution retains status prior to effectivity unless it complies within a period not exceeding January 1, 2016.
They include: Level III accreditation/equivalent for at least four undergraduate programs (including one in liberal arts and one in sciences) and two graduate programs; ratio of qualified full-time faculty with requisite degrees to students; adequate library and laboratories; R&D output with practical/commercial application to the community; relevant linkages/outreach programs serving the community; and relevant academic policies/systems/processes.