Moro community highly praised and welcomed the new president of the Mindanao State University System (MSUS) Dr. Macapado A. Muslim as shown by the number of streamers hang in different strategic places in Mindanao pass on good wishes to his appointment.

Dr. Muslim can lead to rescue the decline academic standard and values of the 10-campuses administration of MSUS considering his academic, extension and research  works achievements as well as his extensive experience in the university governance.

Judge Renato V. Lambac, former MSU faculty member, revealed: “I am certain that his [Muslim] appointment would bring the MSU system to newer heights, particularly in educating the Moro and the cultural marginalized indigenous peoples in Mindanao.”

Sometimes In 2005, a Malacanang-authorized search committee, chaired by former Commissioner Christina Padolina of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), recommended Dr. Muslim out of 21 screened applicants to thrive Dr. Camar A. Umpa. However, Retired General Ricardo F. de Leon of the Philippine National Police was suddenly selected by Malacanang as transition president to restore peace and order in the university.

Dr. Camar Umpa, former MSU President, said: “I am alarmed by this years dismal performance of our graduates in the engineering and nursing board examinations compared to the past years where we almost got 90 percent and above as board passers. The choosing of Dr. Muslim as president shall save the institution from further academic deterioration.”

Moro leaders led by Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan, regional governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), as well as members of the MSU community, students, professors, personnel, and alumni welcomed the appointment of Muslim.

Ampatuan pledged to support the peace and development building efforts of MSU because many of its students are from ARMM cities of Marawi and Lamitan, and provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

As a Muslim scholar, an academician, an advocate of peace and development, Dr. Muslim vowed to regain MSU’s academic excellence, strengthen its revenue-earning capacity, and put in place a comprehensive peace building and conflict resolution program.

Dr. Muslim took his oath of office before President Arroyo on January 4 in Malacañang accompanied by three of his supporters, Bro. Rolando Dizon, former De La Salle University president, former CHED Chairman and former chair of the MSU Board of Regents; Dr. Jose Abueva, former president of the University of the Philippines; and Sister Luz Immanuel of Assumption College in Antipolo, Rizal.

Dr. Muslim thanked President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for giving him the opportunity to contribute to her administration’s leadership development and peace building through MSU.

Dr. Muslim is a professor and former chancellor of MSU General  Santos  City for 11 years. He is a holder of Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science (University of Hawaii, Fall 1990), Master of  Arts in Political Science (University of Hawaii, Spring  1990), Master of  Public Administration (University of the Philippines, 1980), and Bachelor of Science in Public Administration (Mindanao State University, 1978).

Dr. Muslim is a broadly trained scholar in political science and public administration.  His key academic and professional interests include public policy studies, insurgency and nonviolent poitics, ethnicity and ethnonationalism, conflict resolution and peacemaking, international politics, development administration, and organization and management studies.  He writes and lectures frequently on topics related to Philippine Muslim affairs, state-ethnic conflict, local governance, and Islam and social change.

The turnover rite will be held on Monday January 21 at the university’s main campus in Marawi. It will be presided by CHED Secretary Romulo Neri. This valuable ceremony is expected to be witnessed by concerned National and local officials.

	1. Written by Omar Farooq on 09-01-2008 15:03 - Guest
	While we are mostly, if not all, in praise for the new MSUS president,I would like to invite other readers to come out with ideas and suggestions that we think could possibly contribute for the betterment of our beloved Alma Mater.    For me, I would like to humbly put across the following:  1. To get rid of all those \"paid?\" officials at ADM especially the ones at EXTERNAL STUDIES.  2. To make our university library (in Marawi) in par with the world\'s best libraries. I trust those old, outdated textbooks must have been replaced by now either with a new revision or with something new.   3. Dormitories, dormitories and dormitories have to be properly sanitized. Remember that komiks littered in the toilet cubicles left by others!!!???  4. Search and see the MSU Marawi OVAL Ground from the net and you will realize what needs to be done. Put yourself an alumnus of this university and feel if you will get the courage to show this to your officemates in the U.S.!!! ADMIN owes this for MSUan OFWs.    But now, I can surely guess Sir Mac will do something on this.

	2. Written by guest on 12-01-2008 11:19 - Guest
	Insha-ALLAH, Mac will priorities his plans and programs for the six year term as a president of the MSUS. Just give him sometimes and I tell you he can make the difference.

	3. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 17-01-2008 23:39 - Guest
	alas we applaud of newly appointed MSU system President! What else can we ask. Alhamdulillah! With regards to the educational problems of the youth, that might be the answers.  19 of my graduates last academic year were now among with those displeased students in this University. This sudden change of policies turned these students hopeless. Being familiar with the economic status of the majority, this university is the answer of their quest on education. President Muslim can perhaps consider this existing outcries of the HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES.  wE ARE LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE WE CANT COPE UP WITH THIS STANDARD.

	4. Written by Mujib T. Carim on 24-01-2008 11:45 - Guest
	Negative Comment to President Dr. Muslim At the start, he becomes under the tutelage of external factor. He now chose an KFCIAAS OIC-DEAN who is merely an MA holder by passing Ph.D holders of the Center. We expected him to be just but now it appears on the contrary.

	5. Written by siringan on 24-01-2008 21:59 - Guest
	Negative Comment to President Dr. Muslim ana mapasang anan. negative Feedback kaagad.

	6. Written by Mujib on 25-01-2008 05:15 - Guest
	Comment He is merely an Acting President, and anytime he will be replaced by higher up. He was chosen because he believed to be qualified and competent. Hence, he should select among the aspirants the most qualified.

	7. Written by siringan on 25-01-2008 06:04 - Guest
	Comment naki, pagilayan tano dun si Muslim. asara mapya sukanian na apya ron dun.

	8. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 25-01-2008 11:13 - Guest
	OUR SIDE we undergrad students, might still so naive about what's actually happening in our leaders or administrators or so and so... but one thing im sure of! A little more than majority of us were, if not fully satisfied, appreciated what our big daddy had done in our beloved university, despite the fact that he is an intruder... the new appointed one is a Muslim, by his name itself..so, he must at least, beat what de leon, a christian, had done...     bow! un lang po.. hehe.. to tell the truth kasi, habang wala pang napapatunayan si pres. mac muslim, di kami masyadong saludo sa kanya.. we'll miss daddy..that's for sure.. and you cant blame us, bcoz he's only the president i've ever known who hears our weeps and solves them, himself.. immatured?? u may think,, but that's what i feel eh... Allah bless

	9. Written by Aslani Montila on 25-01-2008 11:29 - Registered
	OUR SIDE The issue of being an Acting President is a strategy of Malacanang, you know why?    1. The Acting president would remain to be a follower, else he is threatened to be replaced ASAP.    2. More supporters of the Malacanang can be gathered, others are hoping to be the next President, while others are pasipsip. Politics anyway.    Got the logic? Its a pain in the ass.