City of Batac – Dr. Virgilio Julius Paraoan Manzano, Jr. has been unanimously elected as the 8th president of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the leading university in Northern Philippines, during a special Board of Regents (BOR) meeting on 11 February at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Central Office in Quezon City.

Dr. Manzano will serve as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) until 31 July, completing the term of former MMSU president Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, who is now a CHED commissioner. His full term as university president begins on 1 August.

An MMSU alumnus, Dr. Manzano graduated magna cum laude in Agricultural Engineering in 1994 and placed seventh in the Professional Agricultural Engineering Licensure Examination the same year. He later earned his PhD in Agricultural Engineering from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Tokyo and Columbia University.

With a 30-year career in state universities and colleges (SUCs), he has led pioneering research in climate-based crop forecasting, remote sensing, precision agriculture, and water management. His work has contributed to international efforts in agricultural innovation and climate resilience.

Currently serving as MMSU’s vice president for planning and strategic foresight, Dr. Manzano has played a key role in expanding the university’s research and development programs, including the Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Park, a major hub for science and technology in the region.

MMSU has long been recognized as the premier higher education institution in Northern Philippines, known for its academic excellence, research contributions, and industry partnerships.

As president, Dr. Manzano seeks to further solidify MMSU’s reputation as a top university in Southeast Asia by 2033. His SUCCEED Agenda focuses on strategic academic access, cutting-edge research, financial sustainability, and institutional efficiency, all anchored on the university’s WISER Core Values—Wisdom, Innovation, Spirituality, Excellence, and Resilience.

"I’m offering my services as University President with a sincere commitment to serve and give back to our MMSU community," he said during the public forum.

CHED Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III and CHED Commissioner Shirley C. Agrupis have expressed full confidence in Dr. Manzano’s leadership, underscoring his experience and dedication to MMSU’s continued progress. MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco also extended her trust, urging him to sustain and build on the university’s achievements.

Dr. Manzano is married to Bernadette Mateo-Manzano, a pharmacist, and they have two children: Julianne Lyra Manzano, a medical doctor, and Jed Mizar Manzano, a computer engineering student at MMSU.

As he steps into the role of president, Dr. Manzano calls on the entire university community to work together in advancing MMSU’s mission. "With the strength of the MMSU family, we will continue to hold high the green and gold and drive the university toward greater excellence."