CHEd opens new doctorate degree programs
The Commission on Higher Education on Monday announced that students in Visayas and Mindanao will have more options in pursuing a doctorate degree in Medicine with two new programs opened by the Commission on Higher Education in Bohol and Cagayan de Oro.
CHED disclosed the openings of Doctor of Medicine programs in Tagbilaran’s Bohol Island State University and Cagayan de Oro City’s University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines — both public higher educational institutions.
Previously, Central Visayas only had one public HEI -- Cebu Normal University-Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center -- and two private schools – Cebu Institute of Medicine and University of Cebu – which offer doctorate degrees in Medicine.
Meanwhile, one private HEI only offered a Doctor of Medicine degree in Northern Mindanao through The Xavier University Dr. Jose P. Rizal School of Medicine.
Prior to the opening of the new programs, 31 schools across the country — 15 public and 16 private schools — were offering the said degree to students.
CHED chairperson Prospero de Vera said that the expansion of such degrees through the openings in two HEIs would further aid in the push of Republic Act Number 11509 which creates a medical scholarship and return service program for medicine-aligned students, also known as the ‘Doktor Para sa Bayan Act.’
“The approval to operate the Doctor of Medicine program in BISU and USTP expands the opportunities for the poor but deserving students through scholarship support under the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act,” De Vera said.
“Now, we can produce more doctors through our top state universities and colleges, who will go to underserved areas and local governments in need of health personnel,” he added.
The new schools could start accepting students this coming academic year 2023-2024, with a review after two years, by which they could be able to push for a full four-year program for the said courses.