Celebrating the acquisition of cutting-edge medical equipment that led to significant advancements in instructional delivery at the University of Southeastern Philippines- School of Medicine (USeP-SoM), Commission on Higher Education Chair Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III visited USeP Tagum-Mabini Campus, Tagum Unit on July 31, 2024, to officially unveil the marker for the Institutional Development and Innovation Grants (IDIG) program.
In the ceremony, USeP IDIG Project Lead Assoc. Prof. Jet T. Cariaga introduced the IDIG program assistance to the operation of the USeP-SoM. He boasted of acquiring state-of-the-art medical equipment in the simulation laboratories of SoM through the funding of IDIG totaling Php 25,000,000. Key elements include plastinated human cadaver specimens and high-fidelity patient stimulators that improve medical education quality and foster innovation and hands-on learning.
CHED Chair De Vera addressed the participants of the ceremony. He reminisced about the first time he went to the USeP-SoM during its launching in 2021of which the incoming fourth-year students were yet the applicants of the program. He also talked about the good performance of state universities and colleges (SUCs) offering Doctor of Medicine program in the licensure examinations compared to private institutions.
“Quality faculty, instruction, and facilities produce quality graduates,” Chair De Vera stressed. Moreover, he reiterated his challenge for the University to produce a 100% passing rate in the licensure examination.
According to Chair De Vera, the country now has 22 SUCs that offer medical programs with only two (2) regions across the nation yet to comply with the rigid provisions of Republic Act 11509 otherwise known as the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act to offer MD program.
Dr. Bryan O. Dalid, Medical Center Chief of the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC), expressed the continued commitment of the hospital to support medical students in preparing to become future medical professionals in the evolving healthcare landscape.
Chair De Vera also had a chance to meet and greet the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) program scholars. MSRS scholars had the opportunity to express their thanks to the Commission for supporting the University and for being true to its mandate of promoting relevant and quality higher education.
In his message of gratitude, University President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr. thanked CHED for its commitment to invest in the SUCs and for its continual support to the University in its endeavors for the Doctor of Medicine program. Dr. Gabales also inquired about the possibility of offering other medical-related courses in SoM – implying the viability of increasing the University’s feeder programs – such as nursing and medical technology. Currently, the University offers BS in Biology at USeP Obrero Campus.
Also present during the ceremony were the USeP Top Management; USeP faculty, staff, and students; representatives from DRMC; and Dr. Maricar R. Casquejo, CHED XI Regional Director and her team.