THE SENATE Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education has approved a measure that seeks to rename the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines to the University of Science and Technology of the Philippines.

House Bill 3738, filed by Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez, was approved by the House of Representatives earlier.

The removal of the term “Southern” from the school’s name aims to abolish the impression that the university only caters to students from the southern part of the country.

Rodriguez noted that the USTP-System’s performance shows it is the leading university in the country in terms of science and technology.

“CHED recognized us the Center of Excellence in Information Technology only in Mindanao, Center of Development in Mathematics, Center of Development in Electrical Engineering, and Center of Development in Agriculture,” said USTP-System President Dr. Ambrosio Cultura II during the committee hearing.

The USTP-System has eight campuses located in different provinces in Northern Mindanao.