USTP launches College of Nursing, welcomes 88 pioneering students
By Randulf C. Doria, STRATCOMM, USTP System
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A new chapter in healthcare education began as the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) officially launched its pioneering College of Nursing (CON) on July 30, 2026, at the Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras (DRER) Memorial Hall in USTP Cagayan de Oro. The milestone marked the University’s expansion into nursing education and welcomed its inaugural cohort of 88 pioneering students.
More than the opening of a new academic unit, the launch represents years of careful planning, institutional collaboration, and a shared commitment to producing compassionate, competent, and future-ready nursing professionals. It also reflects USTP’s continuing pursuit of academic excellence, innovation, and community service in addressing the country’s growing healthcare needs.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official launch of the USTP College of Nursing.
The First 88 Who Will Shape the College’s Legacy
Perhaps the most inspiring story behind the launch lies in the students themselves.
Nearly 2,000 aspiring applicants sought admission to USTP’s inaugural nursing program. Following the qualifying examinations, only 345 applicants advanced to the next stage of the selection process.
Admission was based on academic performance and eligibility under the Free Higher Education Act, with applicants required to have an annual family income of ₱300,000 or below. Candidates were ranked according to their examination results, while interviews assessed not only their aptitude but also their commitment to serving communities for at least two years after passing the Nursing Licensure Examination.
Although the University initially planned to admit only 80 students, tied scores at the admission cutoff expanded the inaugural class to 88—a remarkable group that now carries the distinction of becoming the first generation of USTP nursing students.
A Vision Years in the Making
While the College of Nursing officially opened its doors this year, its foundation was laid much earlier.
According to CON Dean Jan Michael R. Remolado, MAN, RN, LPT, preparations formally began in December 2024 with an extensive planning and compliance process aimed at securing the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).
For more than a year, the University developed its curriculum, prepared learning resources, recruited qualified faculty, and designed laboratories and learning facilities that would satisfy CHED requirements from the first to fourth year of the nursing program.
A significant milestone came in March 2025, when USTP convened a stakeholders’ meeting involving University officials, CHED representative Dr. Arlita Amapola B. Minguez, deans from Xavier University and Liceo de Cagayan University, and administrators from Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) and JR Borja General Hospital. Their collaboration helped shape the academic and operational framework of the College.
The University’s preparations continued with the support of the Office of Congressman Rufus Rodriguez and key academic and administrative offices, including the Office of the President, Office of the University and Board Secretary, Office of the Chancellor, Vice Presidents, the Vice Chancellor for Medical and Allied Health Programs, and other University units.
Together, these offices mobilized resources to establish the Nursing Arts Laboratory, procure specialized equipment and library resources, develop syllabi and instructional manuals, and facilitate the memoranda of agreement and understanding needed to support the program.
In August 2025, USTP underwent evaluation by the CHED Technical Panel and the Regional Quality Assessment Team. After months of evaluation and compliance, CHED officially granted the College of Nursing its Certificate of Program Compliance in March 2026, formally authorizing the University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Overcoming Challenges Through Collaboration
Like any pioneering initiative, establishing the College of Nursing presented significant challenges.
Among the most demanding tasks were securing funding for specialized laboratory equipment and nursing library resources, as well as completing the comprehensive requirements necessary for CHED approval across all four year levels.
Rather than allowing these challenges to delay the program, the University responded through collaboration, resource sharing, and the collective commitment of its academic and administrative offices—demonstrating USTP’s ability to transform vision into reality through teamwork.
A Faculty Ready to Shape Future Healthcare Professionals
Leading the College is Dean Jan Michael R. Remolado, MAN, RN, LPT, Associate Professor II, together with a pioneering team of nursing educators whose combined academic expertise and clinical experience lay a strong foundation for the University’s newest academic unit.
Joining him are Assistant Professor III Arsenio S. Poral Jr., MAN, RN, and Assistant Professors II Ricamel A. Abing, MAN, RN; Jacquelyn Zeni B. Kempis, MAN, RN; and Hershey Lou Sheena L. Sangcopan, MN, RN.
Together, they will guide USTP’s first nursing students through rigorous instruction, research, skills development, and clinical practice while nurturing the values of compassion, professionalism, and lifelong learning.
Building Strong Healthcare Partnerships
Recognizing that nursing education extends beyond classrooms and laboratories, USTP has established partnerships with leading healthcare institutions to provide students with meaningful clinical experiences.
Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) will serve as the College’s primary base hospital, while JR Borja General Hospital, ACE Medical Center, and Camp Evangelista Station Hospital will function as affiliating hospitals for clinical training.
Students will also gain valuable community-based experience through the Cagayan de Oro City Health Office, allowing them to understand healthcare delivery in both hospital and community settings.
These partnerships ensure that graduates develop not only technical competence but also a deeper appreciation for patient-centered care across diverse healthcare environments.
Guided by Innovation and Service
Guided by its vision of becoming a nationally recognized trailblazer in nursing education, the College aims to provide innovative, evidence-based nursing education while advancing research and healthcare innovation that strengthens patient care, improves healthcare systems, and creates opportunities for entrepreneurship.
Through this mission, the College seeks to produce graduates who are equipped with scientific knowledge, clinical competence, ethical leadership, and a genuine commitment to serving communities.
Carrying a Legacy Forward
As the College of Nursing embarks on its first academic year, Dean Remolado reminded the inaugural students that they are not simply joining a new academic program—they are helping establish its legacy.
“To our 88 pioneering students, you are stepping into a profound legacy as USTP’s very first nursing batch. You were chosen not just for your academic excellence, but for your potential to become the nationally recognized trailblazers our healthcare system desperately needs.”
He encouraged the students to embrace innovation, uphold compassion and integrity, pursue research, and remain steadfast in their commitment to serving communities.
“Ultimately, your education here is tied to a greater social responsibility. You are being prepared to contribute to national development by ensuring equitable, quality healthcare for the communities you will one day serve.”
As the inaugural class begins its journey, the 88 students carry more than the distinction of being USTP’s first nursing cohort. They become the foundation upon which the College of Nursing will build its culture, traditions, and legacy—one that aspires to shape future healthcare professionals committed to excellence, innovation, and compassionate service.
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