The Benguet State University (BSU) Board of Regents (BOR) convened its 217th Regular Meeting at Le Monet Hotel, Camp John Hay, Baguio City on October 14, 2025 to deliberate and approve major policies and programs in administration and finance, academics, research and extension, and business affairs.

The meeting was presided over by Chairperson Marita Rana Canapi, Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), with University President and Vice Chairperson Kenneth Alip Laruan. Other members present onsite were Regent Jennilyn M. Dawayan (DA-CAR), Regent Janet S. Luis (Private Sector Representative), Faculty Regent Imelda O. Degay, and Student Regent Davys G. Ebbes. Joining online were Regent Nancy A. Bantog (DOST-CAR) and Regent Dandy B. Balinggao (Private Sector Representative). CHED-CAR Regional Director Jimmy G. Catanes attended as resource person.

𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀

The Board approved several agenda items under Administration and Finance, including the 2025 Supplemental Annual Procurement Plans, 2026 Program of Receipts and Expenditures, creation of non-teaching positions under the Revised Organization and Staffing Standards (ROSS) (DBM NBC 589 and 598), and the award of contract for the College of Arts and Humanities Building. It also adopted policy guidelines on the use of university facilities.

Under Academic Affairs, the BOR approved the Faculty Merit Promotion and Selection Policy, BSU Core Values and Graduate Attributes, and slogan, Affirmative Action Agenda, and the Admission and Retention Policy for Undergraduate Programs. The revision in the Academic Calendar for AY 2025–2026 and Academic Calendar for AY 2026–2027 were likewise approved. The Board also endorsed new international collaborations with Chung Shan Medical University (Taiwan), Universitas Negeri Semarang (Indonesia), International Rice Research Institute, and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (Thailand).

For the Research and Extension Sector, the Board adopted the Policy on the Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, along with guidelines on training programs, technology demonstration farms, and research publication. It also approved international partnerships with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bolgatanga Technical University (Ghana), and SOCODEVI for the “Agsama Kape” project.

For Business Affairs, the BSU Sariling Sikap Program and the Farmer Cooperators Program policies were adopted to strengthen community engagement and adoption of BSU R&E Technologies.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The BOR confirmed various Memoranda of Agreement and Understanding covering student internships, scholarships, research collaborations, and institutional partnerships with national agencies, local government units, and academic institutions. Several referenda were also confirmed, including approvals for faculty study leaves, short-term foreign travels, and graduation of midyear candidates.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

President Kenneth Alip Laruan expressed his gratitude to the Board for its continued support, emphasizing that the approved policies and partnerships are vital as BSU continues “Shaping Minds, Transforming Communities, Sustaining Futures.” He also extended his sincere appreciation to Commissioner Marita Rana Canapi for her dedicated service as Chairperson of the BSU Board of Regents from February 2022 to October 2025.//OUBS