VSU is Top 1 in Region 8 with highest number of CHED-compliant programs

Visayas State University (VSU) has once again recorded another success as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized VSU as the top-ranked university in Eastern Visayas with the highest number of Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).

As of May 2025, VSU recorded 98 out of 101 of its academic programs with COPCs across its five campuses, with a 98% compliance rate.

This outstanding performance places VSU at the top performing school among higher education in the region, followed by the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), and Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), with a compliance rating of 78% and 74%, respectively.

A COPC is an official recognition issued by CHED to certify that a program meets the minimum standards outlined under each program’s policies, standards, and guidelines.

If a program does not have a COPC, CHED may issue formal notices of closure or suspension, as the program is considered non-compliant with national standards. This lack of compliance can have serious consequences for students and graduates, particularly in terms of eligibility for professional board examinations, employment opportunities, and further studies. 

In many cases, degrees from non-COPC programs are not recognized by government institutions or international bodies, potentially limiting graduates’ prospects both locally and abroad.

A step closer to full compliance and academic excellence

During the Gawad Parangal 2025 on May 27, 2025 at St. Paul’s School of Professional Studies in Palo, Leyte, CHED officially awarded compliance recognitions to two engineering programs at the VSU Isabel Campus.

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (BSIE) program officially received its full COPC, while the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) was granted the Report on the Result of the Preliminary Assessment (RRPA), indicating that the program is “ready and capable to operate” and awaiting full COPC status.

Earlier this year, VSU Main Campus achieved 100% COPC for its undergraduate programs, following CHED approval for the COPC for the BS in Meteorology in April 2025, BS in Mechanical Engineering and BS in Civil Engineering, both in January 2025.

“It was a feeling of worth and reward upon learning that VSU remains to be the leading university in terms of compliance and recognition. Though it was uneasy at first, painful at times to propose for the unusual like shelving of programs without COPC, but that triggered the entire system to rethink and reframe our approaches to hit our target”,   Quality Assurance Director Dr. Joel Rey U. Acob said.

Despite its near-complete compliance, three programs across the VSU system are currently waiting for the full certification from CHED. These programs include the BS in Mechanical Engineering of the VSU Isabel, Master of Agricultural Development (MAgDev), and Master of Science in Plant Breeding (MSPB) of the VSU Main Campus.

These pending programs are actively undergoing the final stages of CHED's evaluation and are expected to gain full compliance soon, further contributing to the university’s 100% CHED-compliant programs and academic excellence.

Meanwhile, VSU President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes credited this recognition to the academic units and quality assurance teams across the VSU system.

“This achievement would not be possible without the efforts and dedication of the people who untiringly worked to make our academic programs across the VSU system CHED-compliant. Top 1 is a huge feat, and we will continue to propel VSU further and farther”,  President Yepes said.

Further, President Yepes emphasized the importance of collaboration in reaching this accolade for the university. “We are almost 100% CHED-compliant and we are hoping to achieve it as early as possible, and of course, hoping for a positive outcome from CHED. We need to pray and continue to work for VSU.”

In its pursuit of academic excellence and impact, VSU remains dedicated to continue the progress in program accreditation to shape the next generation of #ProudViscans position the university as a premier institution in Philippine higher education.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal No. 4: Quality Education.

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