Partido State University (ParSU) marked a significant step in broadening access to education and extending the reach of its academic and innovation initiatives with the launch of new academic programs, seven micro-credentials, and institutional development initiatives on October 27, 2026, at the ParSU Auditorium in Goa, Camarines Sur.
With the theme "Unveiling New Pathways to Academic Excellence," the launch brought together initiatives that address diverse learning needs and opportunitiesโfrom pursuing a college degree or graduate studies to acquiring specialized competencies, continuing education beyond formal schooling, and developing research-based solutions to community concerns.
Four academic offerings were introduced, namely the Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) under the College of Arts and Humanities; Master of Information Technology (MIT) under the College of Engineering and Computational Sciences; Master of Science in Tourism Management (MSTM) under the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM)โSan Jose campus; and College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) under the College of Business and Management.
The BPA and MIT programs expand opportunities for academic advancement and professional development in public administration and information technology. Meanwhile, the MSTM program marks a regional milestone as the first of its kind in the Bicol Region, opening a new pathway for advanced study in tourism management. The program is particularly relevant to a region where tourism plays a significant role in local economies and community development, creating opportunities to develop further the knowledge and competencies needed in the field.
The CEBB program is particularly significant in extending higher education to persons deprived of liberty, recognizing that opportunities for learning and personal development should remain available even within the constraints of incarceration. Meanwhile, the BPA and MIT programs expand opportunities for academic advancement and professional development in public administration and information technology.
Complementing these degree pathways are seven specialized micro-credential courses designed to develop practical, targeted competencies. These include Business Data Analysis, offered by the College of Business and Management; Basic Barista and Advanced Styling and Cake Decoration, offered by the CHTM-San Jose campus; English in the Academic Workplace and Technology for Teaching and Learning, offered by the College of Education; Agribusiness Start-up and Management, offered by the College of Agribusiness and Community Development โ Salogon Campus; and Basic Occupational Safety and Health (BOSH) Certification Training for Safety Officer 2, offered by the College of Public Safety and Community Health โ Lagonoy Campus.
Through these micro-credentials, ParSU provides focused learning opportunities in business, hospitality, education, agriculture, and occupational safety, allowing learners to acquire practical skills relevant to their professional development and workplace needs.
The launch also introduced the Center for Intelligent Systems and Community Innovation (CISCI), under the directorship of Dr. Kennedy C. Cuya. The center advances the University's work in digital innovation and in applying technology to address practical challenges. Through intelligent systems and technology-driven approaches, CISCI provides a platform for developing innovations that can support institutional development and respond to community needs.
Notably, ParSU formally dedicated its Mabalodbalod Extension Site as the ParSU Lifelong Learning Hub, establishing a dedicated venue for continuing education and skills development, particularly through the University's micro-credential courses. The Hub brings these specialized learning opportunities closer to learners seeking practical competencies for professional growth, employment, and other personal development goals. Its establishment reflects ParSU's commitment to extending learning beyond traditional degree programs and providing opportunities for people to acquire new skills throughout their lives.
In his welcome address, ParSU President Dr. Arnel B. Zarcedo stated that ParSU's new academic programs and initiatives aim to expand access to education, respond to changing workforce and societal needs, promote lifelong learning, provide educational opportunities for persons deprived of liberty, bring learning closer to communities, and turn research and technology into practical solutions. He underscored that the University's success should be measured by its impact on people and communities beyond its campuses. "For ultimately, the success of Partido State University will not be measured only by what happens within its campuses, but by what becomes possible beyond them," he ended.ย
The initiatives reflect a broader view of public higher education: one that creates opportunities for learners at different stages of life, recognizes that education takes different forms, and connects academic development with the needs of society. For ParSU, expanding educational access also means developing relevant competencies, supporting professional growth, and creating avenues for knowledge and innovation to contribute to community development.
The event was graced by Commission on Higher Education Regional Office V Regional Director Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan Jr., CESO III, and Congressman Arnulf Bryan B. Fuentebella, represented by Hon. John Vincent B. Fuentebella, along with officials from government agencies, partner institutions, industry representatives, alumni, media partners, students, and other stakeholders.
A press conference followed the launch, providing a venue for further discussion of the new academic offerings and institutional initiatives, their intended directions, and their potential contributions to the University's educational mission and the communities it serves.
Through these developments, ParSU continues to widen the pathways through which people can access education, develop their capabilities, and participate in innovationโaffirming the role of a state university in making learning relevant and opportunities more attainable for the communities it serves.ย
For more information on ParSU's micro-credential courses, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/bdzw6s5f
