Pres. Eballe delivers 3rd State of the University Address
Marking a three-year milestone in his tenure, Dr. Rolito G. Eballe presented a visionary roadmap for Central Mindanao University (CMU), highlighting major strides in academic expansion, research, institutional integrity, and community impact during an event held on September 16, 2026, at the University Convention Center.
Guided by the theme “One Community, One Mission — Facing Our Challenges, Moving Forward Together for Excellence, Integrity, and Service,” the address celebrated key accomplishments across the University’s four core pillars: Instruction, Research, Extension, and Production, while outlining critical priorities for the years ahead.
Instruction: Academic Expansion and Licensure Topnotchers
Under Dr. Eballe’s leadership, CMU has prioritized quality over mere expansion. The university currently offers 126 academic programs, comprising 54 undergraduate, 40 master’s, 26 doctoral, and six non-degree programs. Among these, 65 are AACCUP-accredited—including 28 at Level IV—and all undergraduate programs hold Certificates of Program Compliance (COPC) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Access was further broadened through Alternative Entry Pathways (AEP), welcoming 920 enrollees from disadvantaged sectors, student-athlete programs, and employee families. To support this growth, 49 faculty members are pursuing advanced graduate studies, and 27 additional teaching personnel were recruited in early 2026.
CMU scholars continue to excel, raising the average licensure exam passing rate from 78.25% in 2023 to 83.9% in 2025, while producing 13 national topnotchers in 2025 alone.
Research & Extension: Innovation, Grants, and Impact
CMU’s research ecosystem continues to expand rapidly across all fronts. The University completed 50 research initiatives in 2025 with ₱15.8 million in funding, and currently manages 74 active projects in 2026 valued at ₱29.77 million. Global visibility also saw a sharp increase, reaching 632 Scopus-indexed publications by September 2026—with 91 published in the first eight months of the year alone—and driving CMU up to 17th among Philippine universities in the AD Scientific Index.
Infrastructure and innovation support have grown alongside these achievements. CMU expanded its board-approved research centers from 9 in 2025 to 13 in 2026, uniting expertise in biodiversity, natural products, geomatics, food, bamboo, One Health, and soil innovation. To help students translate research into enterprise, the university introduced the Sibol startup program with support from CHED and DOST-PCAARRD.
Community engagement and peace building remain central to the University’s mission. In 2025, CMU implemented 38 institutionally funded extension projects, serving nearly 14,000 beneficiaries across 207 communities through 150 active linkages. Furthermore, the University’s Deradicalization Program and security agency partnerships earned it the Kinang Award from the DILG Local Government Academy and certification as a Local Resource Institute.
Production & Governance: Financial Growth & Institutional Challenges
Financially, CMU reported a robust net income of ₱4.73 million as of July 2026, already surpassing the previous year’s total. The administration is also leveraging ₱40 million in Free Higher Education (FHE) arrears, allocating ₱10 million specifically for a comprehensive IT infrastructure overhaul.
Addressing campus land security, Dr. Eballe noted a major setback regarding property protection. Despite recovering 155 hectares of encroached land through a Writ of Demolition in June 2025, unauthorized re-entry occurred on June 18, 2026, under the claim of a DAR administrative order. The President reaffirmed that CMU will aggressively pursue legal remedies to protect these non-negotiable assets dedicated to research and food security.
Global Reach and Future Horizons
CMU continues to strengthen its global footprint, maintaining 88 international partnerships across 25 countries and jumping from 184th in 2025 to 135th in 2026 in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).
Looking forward, the University is fast-tracking its 2026–2035 Strategic Plan, updating its University Code, transitioning toward an ISO 21001:2025-aligned management system, and preparing for two major expansions: the establishment of the CMU School of Law (targeted for August 2027) and the development of the CMU-Kibawe Campus.
President Eballe concluded with a bold vision to position CMU as a premier national research university.
“The road will not be easy,” the President noted, “but we will not move forward as separate offices or interests, but as one academic community. One community, one mission, one CMU.”
The State of the University Address was attended by the members of the Board of Regents, representatives of the Office of Solicitor General, representatives from local government units, University officials, select students, student council officers, CMU Employee Association Inc., CMU Faculty Association Inc., and CMU Alumni Association Inc. officers, family, friends, and guests. [Johnica Chantal G. Montero]
