ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat (PIA) — The Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) will open the doors of its newly launched College of Medicine this November.
On October 28, SKSU officially launched its Doctor of Medicine program, attended by representatives from the provincial government, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and other stakeholders.
“This is a momentous and victorious day. Six years ago it was just a dream, three years ago it was a concrete vision, now it has become a reality,” Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu said in an interview.
Mangudadatu also noted that the program is open even for non-residents of Sultan Kudarat.
“This is open not only for Sultan Kudarat residents but also those outside of Sultan Kudarat and even those outside of Soccsksargen. We made this available because we believe that medicine is for everyone, and it is because of this that we are inspired to do more,” he further said.
The medical program will commence with a pioneer batch of 27 students, including 11 from Sultan Kudarat, 10 from South Cotabato, two from Lanao del Sur, one from Cotabato Province, and three from General Santos City.
The provincial government also committed to granting full scholarships to each student, as well as an additional P10,000 monthly allowance.
Mangudadatu said he envisions SKSU College of Medicine to be on par with top medical schools in the country.
“This will be a very competitive and top performing college of medicine. We wanted to showcase na hindi basta-basta ito (that this is not just anything) that’s why we purchased new equipment, new devices, tools na gagamitin para sa ating mga (that will be used for our) students and produce well-educated and skillful and passionate doctors in the future,” the official added.
Meanwhile, CHED Commissioner Ronald Adamat praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with national efforts to increase the number of healthcare professionals, especially in underserved areas.
“It’s a continuing program of CHED in response to the ‘Doctor Para sa Bayan Act,’ and we are glad that Sultan Kudarat has its own now, and we know that this is not the last,” Adamat said.
According to Adamat, “This is something we could consider a landmark program for the province. We have to continue to encourage other state universities to offer similar programs.” (ORVR – PIA Sultan Kudarat)
