On November 24, 2024, Saint Mary’s University officially received its certificate of recognition from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for becoming one of 77 higher educational institutions (HEI) conferred with an autonomous status. The award was accepted by the University President (Dr. John Octavious S. Palina), the Vice President for Academic Affairs (Dr. Moises Alexander Asuncion), and the Director for Institutional Development and Quality Assurance (Pearl Via S. Coballes) during the conferment ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). This recognition highlights the university’s top-quality education and consistently excellent program results.

As an autonomous HEI, SMU is provided with privileges such as independent curriculum development, exemption from regular CHED monitoring, eligibility for honorary degrees, and priority for grants and subsidies. In return, SMU is expected to support non-autonomous institutions through mentoring and quality assurance programs.

To be awarded with an autonomous status, an HEI must fulfill requirements along three criteria: commitment to program excellence, excellence in instruction, scholarly works, and community engagements, and institutional quality and excellence. 

SMU’s autonomous status is valid from 16 September 2024 to 15 September 2027.

The policies and guidelines for achieving autonomous or deregulated status are indicated on CHED Memorandum Order No. 6, Series of 2023.