DMMMSU QS Team virtually visited Mariano Marcos State University last May 18, 2022 – to look into MMSU’s best practices and on how it gained its stars from the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars Rating System. This is related to the University’s ongoing preparations for the QS Stars University Rating System through the Fostering World Class Philippine Universities project funded by CHED.

Titled “Reaching for the QS Stars: Virtual Benchmarking with Mariano Marcos State University”, the activity aimed to learn about MMSU’s strategic plans, accomplishments and journey in gaining its three (3) QS Stars.

Dr. Mee Jay A. Domingo, MMSU’s Director for Internationalization, Linkages and Partnerships, served as the resource speaker on the topic, “MMSU QS Star Journey: Procedures, Policies and Strategies”.  Dr. Domingo oriented the DMMMSU QS Team with the procedures, strategies and policies implemented by MMSU during its application to the said university ratings publications. Relevant data were also identified during the workshop and mentoring sessions.

In 2020, MMSU became the first state university in the country to be awarded with three stars by the QS Stars Rating System. Using the QS international metrics, it was evaluated on the following areas: teaching, employability, academic development, internationalization, facilities, innovation, social responsibility, and program strength.

With a Stars rating given in eight categories and for the institution’s overall performance, QS Stars allows universities like DMMMSU to publicly highlight their areas of strength, and recognize and improve upon areas of weakness. This evidence-based marketing tool provides badges for each rating that the institution may use in its own marketing to help attract global students. (JRBJ)