University of Southern Mindanao

University of Southern Mindanao

Former names	Mindanao Institute of Technology
Motto	50 years and beyond.
Type	Public, State university
Established	June 20, 1952
Endowment	PHP225,325,000.00
President	Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia
Administrative staff	1,600
Undergraduates	11, 408
Address	USM avenue, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines, Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines
Campus	Kabacan (main), USM- Kidapawan City Campus (USM-KCC), USM- Buluan, Integrated Laboratory School - Lumayong
Hymn	USM Hymn
Colors	Green and Gold
Nickname	USM
Affiliations	SCUAA and MASCUFF, PASUC,AACCUP,
Website	Official Website

Coordinates: 7°6′54.86″N 124°50′12.1″E / 7.1152389°N 124.836694°E / 7.1152389; 124.836694

The University of Southern Mindanao, formerly Mindanao Institute of Technology (MIT), is a university in the Southern Philippines. It provides instruction and professional training in the fields of science and technology, particularly agriculture and industry. The university was founded by Bai Hadja Fatima Matabay Plang, an educator and philanthropist. It formally open on October 1, 1954, and achieved university status on March 13, 1978. Its 1,024 hectare main campus is located in Kabacan, Cotabato. The University of Southern Mindanao is one of the four State University and Colleges (SUC) to achieve excellence in agricultural education and one of the nine to hold Level IV status. Across its 3 campuses USM holds a total of 5, 129.97 hectares of land, mostly for agricultural teaching and research.

The USM main campus used to be a rubber plantation owned and managed by a Scot named Fleming, who was granted an area of 1,024 hectares in 1909. The ownership changed hands several times until the Japanese occupation, when it came under the control of Ohta Development Company. After the Americans defeated the Japanese in 1944, this compound was taken over by the United States government until 1947, when it was transferred to the Philippine government. It was not until the 1950s that the Maguindanao princess, Bai Hadja Fatima Matabay Plang, started the movement to establish the Mindanao Institute of Technology (MIT). She was supported in this venture by Datu Udtog Matalam, then governor of Empire Province, Cotabato, and by congressman Salipada Pendatun (who later became house speaker).

President Elpidio Quirino signed R.A. 763, the law creating the Mindanao Institute of Technology, on June 20, 1952. On June 10, 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay signed republic act no. 998, the enabling act for the establishment and subsequent operation for MIT, with an initial allocation of P 200,000 for the school’s operation.