DOrSU eyes SUC Level IV status by 2029
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) is targeting SUC Level IV status by 2029, as University President Dr. Roy G. Ponce called for tighter alignment of programs, resources, and institutional targets with the University’s GROWTH 2029 framework.
Dr. Ponce issued the directive during DOrSU’s Midyear Evaluation for Fiscal Year 2026 on August 17 at the University Board Room, where officials reviewed the University’s performance during the first half of the year and identified priorities for the remaining months of 2026.
Calling the period a “new season” for the University, Dr. Ponce said DOrSU has only three years to pursue the next level of institutional development.
“Our target should be SUC Level IV by 2029,” he said. “We only have three years. We can do this by God’s grace.”
Dr. Ponce commended University personnel for the work already accomplished but said the next phase would require wider participation across offices and academic units.
He encouraged officials to draw on new talents within the University, particularly faculty and staff who recently joined DOrSU, and to give them opportunities to contribute to institutional programs.
“Let’s engage everyone. With more, we will attain more,” Dr. Ponce said.
He also underscored the need to sustain DOrSU’s regenerative futures identity, trajectory, and impact, a direction that places the University’s work in education, research, governance, innovation, and community engagement within a broader goal of enabling people, the economy, nature, and technology to thrive together.
During the midyear evaluation, University officials presented updates on physical accomplishments and the status of the University Manual of Operation, research monitoring and evaluation, infrastructure projects, budget utilization, procurement, supply management, and digitalization initiatives.
The presentations formed part of the University’s review of its progress against established targets and its effort to identify gaps requiring action in the second half of the fiscal year.
The G.R.O.W.T.H. 2029 framework sets six institutional priorities: Global Recognition, Research Excellence, Optimized Accreditation, World-Class Digital Transformation, Thriving Curriculum, and Holistic Development. It calls on all divisions, academic programs, centers, and units to align their plans, key result areas, performance indicators, and programs, projects, and activities with these priorities, backed by regular monitoring and accountability mechanisms. Among its targets under Optimized Accreditation is DOrSU’s readiness for SUC Level IV, together with stronger program and global accreditation, quality assurance, and participation in national and international ranking and assessment systems.
Dr. Ponce said the University’s next gains would depend on how effectively its people translate institutional targets into results, as DOrSU works toward stronger academic, administrative, research, and governance performance by 2029.
