MORE than two years since the Covid19 pandemic disrupted face-to-face classes, the Mariano Marcos State University welcomed at least 15,000 students this week.

During the first day of classes on Monday, the university held a general orientation program for some 4,500 first year college students.

“Your presence here is not an accident. It is your mark of excellence because you all passed the rigors of the admission and enrolment processes. This activity is a manifestation that you deserve to be in this university,” MMSU President Shirley Agrupis said.

“Congratulations to all of you, and I hope this number of students that we are welcoming today is the same number that will be graduating after four years,” she added.

MMSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Prima Fe Franco reminded the students to attend their classes regularly and to observe minimum health and safety protocols.

Franco also encouraged learners to exert efforts in “passing all school requirements, empower themselves with the digital technologies, and enhance their 21st century skills.”

She assured students that the university has fully complied with the requirements set by the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Health, and local government units regarding the conduct of in-person classed amid the pandemic.

CHED earlier said that a flexible learning setup will be retained for tertiary education. However, the commission expects an increase in the number of universities conducting in-person learning beginning this month.