Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) welcomed over 2,870 newly admitted students on Monday, August 11, through the much-awaited Shepherding Tradition, also known as the Institute Parade.
Freshmen from the university’s seven colleges flocked to the university gymnasium for the annual event, which formally welcomed them into college life at MSU-IIT. The shepherding aimed to orient students on essential university services, processes for addressing concerns, the roles and responsibilities of various organizations and offices, and other college life essentials.
University Chancellor Atty. Prof. Alizedney M. Ditucalan, along with faculty members from the seven colleges and administrators of various offices, graced the occasion.
“You are now part of one of the best universities in the world, and the leading university outside [the] capital, and a beacon of academic excellence in Mindanao,” Chancellor Ditucalan pointed out.
He reminded the students that studying at MSU-IIT is both a privilege and a responsibility, emphasizing that the opportunity to learn at the institution should never be taken for granted and comes with a profound sense of duty.
“At Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, we do not just aim to educate; we aim to transform. You are not just students, you are influencers, you are the influencers of the future. You are the future,” the Chancellor asserted.
Highlighting the symbolic meaning of the event, Chancellor Ditucalan shared the tradition represents both the beginning and the culmination of the students’ journey, as they are welcomed into the university now and, in 2029, will hopefully return wearing their maroon graduation regalia.
The opening program also featured informative videos featuring university offices, recent achievements, and announcements, followed by an open forum where students directly addressed their questions to the administrators.
For some freshmen, the shepherding experience was both exciting and fun. Katrina Izabelle Maiso, a first-year BS Psychology student from Davao del Norte, described it as “very enjoyable” and admitted feeling “culture-shocked” by the lively atmosphere of the campus, particularly in her home college, the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS).
“Ang College of Arts and Social Sciences kay very active. Like culture-shock siya personally para sa akoa kay dili man gud kaayo ko naga-apil og mga activities jud,” Maiso shared, adding that the experience made her feel she would truly be able to step out of her comfort zone.
First-year BA Political Science students Christopher Pananganan and Abdul Diron also found the event to be warm and lively. Diron recalled seeing students singing, playing games, and enjoying the event, saying, “It’s so good as a freshman to see most of my seniors being here in MSU.”
When asked about their expectations for college life at MSU-IIT, they shared that they hold the university in high regard.
“We all know that MSU-IIT is [ranked] very high in terms of its reputation [especially] its education quality, so I want to expect nothing less than to be able to learn such skills that will greatly impact my future,” Pananganan noted.
Meanwhile, Diron shared that having lived in Iligan for a long time, he has seen firsthand how remarkable life at MSU-IIT can be, noting that he has met many seniors who have achieved great things.
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