In pursuit of perpetuating the aspiration of human resource development as one of the capital investments of the Bangsamoro community towards economic development, security and prosperity and pursuant to its goal of enhancing and expanding academic programs in a community of learning that promotes academic excellence and innovation as well as improving the quality of life through its extension services, the Cotabato State University (CSU) formerly known as Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC), First Party represented by the current University President, Prof. Sema G. Dilna, Ed.D. along with the Dean of the Graduate School, Tarhata Solaiman Guiamalon, Ph.D. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Noorul Eilm Academy Foundation Incorporated (NEAFI), Second Party represented by President Dingan C. Ali, Ph.D., former CCSPC President together with the NEAFI Principal of Elementary Department, Mr. Mohamed Lumpingan.
Further, in a ceremony held on August 15, 2022 at the NEAFI Conference Hall in Pikit, North Cotabato, the two parties formally forged their collaborative agreement as witnessed by the CSU Board of Regents (BOR), Hon. Ustadz Saudi B. Abubakar, Alumni President; Hon. Esmael M. Ali, Faculty President as well as the Vice President for Academic Affairs Teng A. Alim, Ph.D. and Vice President for Research, Extension and Production Zainodin M. Kusin, Ph.D. including the currently designated Program Head of Education major in Administration and Supervision Esmael A. Lawan, Ph.D. including the Research Director Arbaya H. Boquia, Ed.D. and the Records Management Officer Joanie T. Haramain, Ed.D. who are likewise among the faculty of said Graduate School Program. Also, present during the ceremonial activity were the NEAFI faculty and staff.
The CSU President, Prof. Dilna expressed his full commitment on such mutual agreement for the expansion of instruction to the people of Pikit and nearby municipalities particularly establishing extension classes of CSU Graduate School to cater interested students to pursue their graduate education. He pointed out that this shall serve as a satellite of CSU since Dr. Ali has been a member of the institution. The successful implementation of such agreement shall be an avenue for the efficient realization of the University vision, mission and goals.
“Now, we are no longer fighting through the use of a weapon. Our weapon today is education which is through the use of ‘paper and pencil’ in view of our vision of becoming a world class educational hub for sustainable development in Southern part of our country,” the University President remarked when he was delivering his pledge of faithfulness.
Furthermore, the NEAFI President, Dr. Ali expressed his statements of allegiance by assuring the audience that he would leave the best legacy of promoting education in the region. He thanked the CSU administration for extending such educational program to the community. Also, he encouraged the audience to enroll their prost graduate studies at CSU and avail on the facilities the NEAFI can offer.
“I will support this endeavor more than 100 percent. I am inviting you to commit your time and effort in its planning and implementation because if you have not started something, you have nothing to finish,” he said. Further, he reminded the spectators that Islam is the faith of accountability in which it makes human being accountable of his or her every act and social response in the society. He pointed out that in an Islamic context, accountability implies a condition being put together and an individual answerable and responsible to one’s authority and decisions or actions as well as the Islamic teaching empathically relies on the message of responsibility of a person under one’s authority.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Guiamalon explained the rationale of the understanding between the two parties. “We bring CSU here in Pikit and nearby municipalities. Our objective is to help in the development of students by encouraging them to enroll at CSU in collaboration with NEA Foundation Incorporated that is committed of taking charge on the provision of buildings and other facilities. We believe that the outcome of this project is for our benefit in this Dunya (World) and in the Akhira (Life hereafter),” she stressed.
Likewise, she introduced the various programs of CSU Graduate School namely: PhD in Educational Administration, PhD in Public Administration, PhD in Peace and Development, MAEd in School Administration and Supervision, MAEd in English, MA in Peace and Development, MA in Islamic Studies-Islamic Education, MA in Industrial Education Management, Master of Business Administration, Master of Information Technology, Master of Public Administration (Thesis and Non-Thesis) major in: Organizational Management, Program Development and Administration, Local Government & Regional Administration; Master of Science in Information Technology, Master of Science in Social Work, Master of Science in Agricultural Extension, Master of Science in Agriculture major in: Animal Science; and Crop Production Management. Also, the Dean told the audience to choose what program they want to enroll this upcoming semester.
Stipulated on said agreement is that CSU shall be responsible for the provision of qualified professors to teach in the Graduate School Program particularly the Master of Arts in Education major in School Administration and Supervision. Also, CSU shall take charge concerning the admission of post graduate students and on the collection of tuition and other fees in adherence to the policy on admission and other relevant activities pursuant to the CSU Graduate Studies Manual of Operation.
On the other hand, the NEA Foundation Incorporated shall be responsible for the provision and recruitment of post graduate students for the MAEd major in School Administration and Supervision; transportation or traveling allowance of the concerned professors, classrooms and other logistics needed in the teaching and learning process; compliance to the institutional requirements set forth by the professors and other necessary requirements provided by the Graduate School in accordance with the existing policies and guidelines approved by the authorities concerned.
Meanwhile, after the MOU signing ceremony, the team of key officials visited the former President Dammang S. Bantala, Ph.D. where they were entertained by the latter and gained knowledge and inspiration from the words of wisdom enunciated by the former CCSPC dad who has left a legacy in relation to the development of the four fold functions of the institution namely: Instruction, Research, Extension and Production. //JTH Records Management Office
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. Faithful on its intention of enhancing and expanding academic program in a community of learning for the improvement of quality of life through extension services and programs dedicated to economic development and the promotion of healthy community, people and environment, the Cotabato State University (CSU) has been actively engaging partnership with external stakeholders. The recently concluded MOU signing between CSU and NEA Foundation Incorporated is a tangible proof for the commitment of CSU administration headed by the President, Prof. Sema G. Dilna, Ed.D. (5th from right) in coordination with the key officials specifically the Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Tarhata S. Guiamalon (4th from left) along with the Vice President for Research, Extension and Production Dr. Zainodin M. Kusin (4th from right), Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Teng A. Alim (not in photo), University Alumni President, Hon. Saudi B. Abubakar, MAIS (3rd from right), University Faculty President, Hon. Esmael M. Ali, MAEd (2nd from right), MAED-SAS Program Head, Dr. Esmael A. Lawan (in blue shirt), Director of Research, Dr. Arbaya H. Boquia (5th from left), and the University Records Officer, Dr. Joanie T. Haramain (3rd from left). Also in photo are the key officials of the NEA Academy Foundation Incorporated headed by the President, Dr. Dingan C. Ali (middle), the principal of the NEAFI Elementary Department, Mr. Mohamed Lumpingan (2nd from left), and the principal of the NEAFI High School Department, Mr. Gafor Balumol (1st from left).
RATIFICATION OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU). Cotabato State University (CSU) President Prof. Sema G. Dilna, Ed.D. and Noorul Eilm Academy Foundation Incorporated (NEAFI) President. Dr. Dingan C. Ali along with the University Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Tarhata S. Guiamalon and the NEAFI Principal Mohamed Lumpingan have formally sealed their collaboration through a MOU signed on August 15, 2022 at the NEAFI Conference Hall, Inug-ug, Pikit, North Cotabato.
THE HEART IS STILL IN SERVICE. Retired in the academe as a College President in 2019 when almost an inch to win his administration’s bid for university rank, Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC) President Dr. Dammang S. Bantala (in white T-shirt, middle) exhibiting his gesture of love as well as sharing his words of wisdom to the CSU executive officials during their adventitious courtesy visit at his residential house in Midsayap on August 15, 2022 after the MOU signing ceremony held at the NEA Foundation Incorporated in Pikit emphasizing the importance of unity. He affirmed that through unity, a lot can be achieved. Unity brings people together, creating love, harmony and generosity between them. “Magtulungan kayo (help one another). As believers, we can use unity as a platform to spread kindness to others, as well as an opportunity for our spiritual growth to become closer to Allah, subhaanahu wa ta’ala,” he stressed. Also, the former CCSPC dad conveyed his moral support to the CSU administration by sharing some ahadith (sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon him) and Quranic verses such as what is articulated in the second verse of Surat Al-Ma’idah, when the Almighty Allah says: “Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness. And do not assist each other in acts of sinfulness and transgression. And be aware of Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment.”
