THE UNIVERSITY of Southern Mindanao in North Cotobato will resume holding face-to-face classes for Nursing students in the first semester of Academic Year 2021-2022.

Dr. Consuelo Tagaro, USM vice president for academic affairs, said the school received on Thursday a Certificate of Authority to resume physical classes from the Commission on Higher Education after complying with the guidelines.

The university retrofitted its facilities to meet the requirements issued by the government.

To guarantee the safety of students and personnel, CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera III said the university should strictly follow health protocols.

“The teachers and students who will participate in the limited face-to-face classes must all be fully vaccinated,” he added.

Aside from USM, CHED also allowed 12 other higher education institutions in SOCCSKSARGEN region to conduct in-person classes for their health-related degree programs.

These are the North Valley College Foundation Inc., Cotabato Medical School Foundation Inc., Southern Christian College, Notre Dame of Misayap College, Southern Baptist College, Sultan Kudarat State University, Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution, Southern Mindanao Institute of Technology, VMC Asian College Foundation, Inc., Saint Alexius College, Brokenshire College of Soccsksargen, and General Santos Doctor’s Medical Foundation Inc.