The University of St. La Salle has once again been granted Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), continuing a 22-year streak since it was first awarded in 2001. This recognition, effective from September 2024 to September 2027, was awarded through CHED Memorandum Order No. 07, Series of 2024. The sustained Autonomous Status follows a series of milestones achieved by the University, including reaccreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) for various programs this year.

The CHED Autonomous Status allows higher education institutions the flexibility to introduce new programs and enhance existing ones, determining and prescribing curricular programs, exemptions from regular monitoring and evaluation and without requiring constant CHED approval. 

Autonomous status was also granted to Saint Mary’s University (SMU) for three years from Sept. 16, 2024 to Sept. 15, 2027. In CMO No. 7 series of 2024 released on Sept. 23, 2024, CHED identified SMU as one of the 77 private higher education institutions in the Philippines that met the criteria for an autonomous status covering the performance and achievement of the institutions from July 1, 2019 to Sept. 15, 2023. SMU is one of the only two HEIs in Region 2 given the present distinction. SMU was evaluated in the following criteria: commitment to program excellence; excellence in instruction, scholarly works, and community engagements; and institutional quality and excellence.

Previously, SMU was granted autonomous status in 2001-2006 and 2016-2019. With this new status, SMU is poised to further enhance its reputation as a leading institution of higher learning in the region and beyond. The university is committed to leveraging its autonomy to create a dynamic and innovative learning environment for its students and contribute to advancing knowledge and society.

St. Paul University Manila’s Autonomous Status was also renewed along with other qualified Higher Education Institutions. This renewal is another feather in SPUM’s cap.  Congratulations and thanks to the team that worked on this, headed by Dr. Marichen Dychangco.

Congratulations to all the higher education institutions. 

The original articles were edited for the ASEACCU newsletter. 

Source: USLS  SMU  SPUM