In June 1929, Dr. Hilarion T. Feliciano and his wife, Doña Maria Mercado Feliciano, founded the Kolambugan
Academy in Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte as the first private high school in this part of the country.
Two years later, the school site was transferred to Misamis (now Ozamiz City) so that the school could
serve a bigger segment of the population. The school was renamed Misamis Institute.
In 1946, government recognition was obtained for the complete elementary and secondary courses. The
founders courageously launched a program of expansion during the early part of the postwar period.
Education, Commerce, Liberal Arts, and Law were the first courses offered. All these courses gained
full government recognition in 1953.
In 1955, the name of the school was changed to Misamis Colleges. In 1974 the first graduate course
leading to the Master of Arts in Education as well as the BS Civil Engineering received recognition.
This was followed by two other courses, Midwifery in 1975, and BS Social Work in 1976.
The year 1977 was very significant as the institution was granted the university status. Dr. Jaime M.
Feliciano became the first President of Misamis University.
Two years later, government recognition was granted to the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical
Engineering, Nursing, and Bachelor in Agricultural Technology. Recognition was obtained for B.S. in
Criminology and Secretarial Administration in 1980 and 1981 respectively.
On March 30, 1984, Dr. Nestor M. Feliciano took the helm of the University and was installed second
President of the University.
In 1989, the Instructional Media Center was constructed and was subsequently equipped to complement the
development program of the school. In the same year the laboratory of the College of Engineering was
updated attaining full compliance to the requirements of the Technical Panel for the Engineering and
Architectural Education. The BS in Accountancy got its recognition in 1992.
To meet the changing demands of the times, additional courses were added; the BS in Medical Technology
in 1993-1994 and; new majors in the graduate education program in 1994, the English Language Teaching
and Mathematics Education. New undergraduate courses were also opened, the BS in Marine Transportation,
BS in Marine Engineering, Certificate in Marine Transportation, Certificate in Marine Engineering,
BS in Computer Engineering and BS in Occupational Therapy. In 1995, government recognition was granted
for the BS in Physical Therapy and Forest Ranger Certificate. In the same year, the non-thesis Master's
degree program in Nursing (MN) was opened.
To complement the paramedical courses offered by the institution, the university launched a modern
state-of-the-art Misamis University Medical Center (MUMC). The Medical Center provides an excellent
training for the students in Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Technology, Physical Therapy and
Occupational Therapy.
As far back as the early 1990’s, the University started its accreditation attempts first on a consultancy
basis, then the formal applicant status for the LACOMED (Liberal Arts, Commerce and Education). Other
academic programs followed suit, namely: Nursing, Civil and Mechanical Engineering. Since then,
accreditation efforts for other academic programs continued.
As early as 1998, the Misamis University then established the Quality Standard System (QSS) to raise
the standard of training and competence of maritime students and to facilitate their entry into the
global maritime industry. From then onwards, QSS was pursued not only in Maritime Education but in
all programs as well.
At the onset of the third millennium, the institution continuously responded to the challenge of
quality education in various fields of specialization. On April 4, 2000, the Computer Education
program was identified by CHED as a Center of Development for Excellence in Information Technology
Education. The one-year Seafarer Course with specialization in Deck Rating was opened in school
year 1999-2000; while the six-month Care Giver course was started in June 2002. To widen the
program for computer technology, BS in Information Technology was opened in school year 2001-2002.
Subsequently, the CISCO Networking Academy Program (CNAP), was started in 2002-2003.
The year 2003 for Misamis University was highlighted with CHED granting DEREGULATED STATUS through
Resolution No. 393-2003. Benefits include the exemption of the university from the issuance of
Special Order, freedom from monitoring and evaluation activities of the CHED, entitlement to the
grant subsidies and other financial incentives or assistance from the CHED whenever funds are
available; and the privilege to determine and prescribe their curricular programs to achieve
global competence.
The technical vocational curricula were restructured in compliance with the requirements of the
Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS) of TESDA. In 2004, the two-year
courses in Automotive Service Technician, Building Wiring Technician, Electronics Technician
(Machinist) and Refrigeration and Air-conditioning and the One-year Nursing Assistant course
were given UTPRAS Registration certificates.
In 2004, another significant achievement was attained. The University underwent a voluntary
Certification for international standards based on ISO 9001:2000 for all academic programs
in its pursuit for quality education. All endeavors and needed resources have been mobilized
toward this achievement.
On April 28, 2005, DET NORSKE VERITAS (DNV) granted Misamis University a Management System
Certificate- No. 2373-2005-AQ-SIN-RVA. DNV-The Netherlands, through its DNV Regional Office
in Singapore, a certification of Misamis University’s conformance to the quality management
system as set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Misamis University in the years 2000-2005 has fast-tracked its development in physical
plant and facilities. The following improvements maybe mentioned as noteworthy among many
others. They are H.T. Feliciano Building which housed the Colleges of Computer Studies and
Criminology; the new Chapel, Function Hall, and Canteen complex; the Natural Science Building;
Nursing Arts Room; and the Motor pool which accommodates all University vehicles.
On January 22, 2006, Dr. Karen Belina Feliciano De Leon was appointed President of the University.
With her able leadership, the University ventures on more challenging infrastructure projects.
By June 2007, the University Library/Student Center Complex Building with a total floor area of
2,100 square meters will be operational. This is a 25-million peso, 3-storey building. The
ground floor houses the various offices and facilities that would provide quality services to
the students. These include the Offices of the Department of Student Affairs, Guidance and Testing
Center, Central Student Council (CSC), Scholarship Coordinator, Research, Publication, Internet,
Student lounge with internet ports and a Conference Room. Furthermore, the old library will be
renovated to house the College of Engineering and Technology, an additional modern speech
laboratory and a computer laboratory for Computer Engineering.
Other infrastructure projects for completion by August 2007 are the Maritime Training Center
with a swimming pool. a covered court and other facilities that will ensure meaningful academic
life of the university, and ultimately, the employability of its graduates. Moreover, MU's
involvement in research and extension activities have been sustained and improved. Linkages with
outside research and funding institutions, both government related and non-government organization
(NGO) were established. These connections with outside agencies are very helpful in making
educational endeavors meaningfully supported, enabling it to meet global standards of quality
and excellence.