The University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) became operational in 1979 integrating the four state institutions in the region: the Mindanao State University-Davao Branch (MSUDB), the University of the Philippines Master of Management Program in Davao (UPMMPD), the Davao School of Arts and Trades (DSAT) and the Davao National Regional Agricultural School (DNRAS). The integration of these institutions paved the way for the birth of the five USEP campuses namely: the Davao City main campus in Obrero with an area of 6.5 hectares; the Mintal campus, Davao City that has an area of 2.8 hectares;