AMSC Celebrates "The Lake Knights Journey" at 2026 State of the College Address (SOCA)

Adiong Memorial State College, Ditsaan- Ramain, Lanao del Sur – AMSC marked a historic milestone on February 5, 2026 as President Dr. Sherifa Rohannie K. Adiong delivered the 2026 State of the College Address, titled "The LaKe Knights Journey: A Celebration of an Institutional Milestone." The event, held exactly three years after the symbolic transfer of leadership to Dr. Adiong, served as both a reflection on past struggles and a roadmap for the institution’s future transformation into a state university.

The ceremony hosted by Board secretary, Maam Sherifa Ainee Kadil commenced at 10:00 AM with a ceremonial march of employees, followed by an invocation from Prof. Aleem Mohammad Jarir M. Adiong and a warm welcome from Dr. Rashida A. Abedin, Vice President for Administration and Finance.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Abedin recalled the early days of Dr. Adiong’s presidency, noting that the "super-president" immediately "meant business" by conducting rigorous SWOT analyses and benchmarking the college against prestigious national institutions. In overcoming "Shaky Roads", the journey has not been without significant hurdles. The administration acknowledged facing "shaky roads," including the closure of the high school department, challenges with the Land Use and Infrastructure Development Plan (LUDIP), and the temporary cessation of the Colleges of Agriculture and Fisheries due to Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) issues.

Despite these setbacks, the college reported major "wins" over the past three years. These include: First, human resources, the establishment of new units and the awarding of nearly 70 administrative staff positions out of 71 granted; second, expansion, new land grant in the nearby municipality of Bubong provided by the Provincial Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. for campus expansion; third, academic standards, successful COPC applications for six programs and progress in accreditation through preliminary survey visits.

In her keynote address, Dr. Adiong shared the personal journey behind her leadership, revealing that her decision to accept the presidency was deeply influenced by a conversation with her son. She emphasized that her tenure has been defined by transparency, responsiveness, participation, and accountability.

Looking ahead, Dr. Adiong outlined rigorous strategic targets. The college plans to expand its academic offerings to include new programs in Social Work and Education, while also intensifying research and extension activities. Furthermore, the administration aims to pursue the Prime HRM Award to enhance human resource management and is preparing for a major accreditation challenge scheduled for August or September 2026.

As a collective effort, the event featured a series of testimonials from deans and unit heads, including Dr. Sittienor Abubakar (College of Education) and Dr. Bedaria I. Amerol (Graduate School), who lauded the collective initiative of the faculty and staff.

As the "Lake Knights" look to the future, the ultimate goal remains clear: the conversion of the college into a premier state university. The address concluded with a video presentation of the college’s achievements and a call to action for the entire community to remain engaged in the institution’s transformative mission. The ceremony ended with a recessional march, signaling the start of a new chapter for AMSC.

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