Davao del Sur State College (DSSC) held its much-anticipated 2026 State of the College Address on February 18, 2026, at the DSSC Gymnasium. College President Dr. Augie E. Fuentes took the stage before a packed audience of stakeholders, local officials, and the academic community to present a compelling narrative of an institution in the midst of a powerful ascent.
Dr. Fuentes delivered a comprehensive report on the college’s remarkable accomplishments in 2025, painting a picture of an institution that is not just meeting standards but setting new benchmarks. She outlined significant gains across the college’s five core pillars: Academic Instruction, Research, Extension, Internationalization, and Resource Management.
The address highlighted a year of unprecedented achievements. Dr. Fuentes reported major accreditation wins, historic licensure examination results, including producing a topnotcher, and a surge in research publications and intellectual property filings. She detailed the expansion of impactful extension programs that reached thousands, bold global mobility initiatives that put DSSC on the world map, and key infrastructure projects that are modernizing the campus.
The event was graced by pertinent partner intuitions and provincial leaders, including Vice Governor Marc Cagas IV, who delivered a strong message of support. “We will support whatever endeavor DSSC will take,” Vice Governor Cagas stated, reaffirming the strong partnership between the provincial government and the college.
Looking ahead, Dr. Fuentes shared an ambitious and strategic vision for 2026. Key priorities include the launch of new academic programs, the push for an ISO 21001:2018 certification to harmonize operations with global standards, and the continued expansion of extension campuses to serve more communities. She also outlined major infrastructure improvements, such as the completion of new laboratory facilities and academic buildings, and the construction of a campus bridge to physically and symbolically connect the college to its future growth. Dr. Fuentes encapsulated the institution’s momentum, declaring the state of the college as “STRONG, DYNAMIC, AND FUTURE-READY to become a UNIVERSITY.”
The 2026 State of the College Address served not only as a transparent report on progress, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), but also as a powerful testament to accountable and responsible governance, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). With a clear vision and unified purpose, DSSC is poised to continue forging excellence and expanding horizons for the region and the country.
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