Last May 9, 2017, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approved the granting of Autonomous Status to UIC with validity period from May 9, 2017 to May 31, 2019, after responding to the call of CHED through chairperson Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, to apply for upgrading from Deregulated to Autonomous Status as endorsed by CHED Region XI.

UIC President, S. Ma. Marissa R. Viri RVM, together with Dr. Renan Limjuco, UIC Research, Publication and Innovation Center (RPIC) Director and Dr. Jo-ann Solomon , UIC Quality Assurance Officer received the award last May 18, 2017 during the awarding ceremony held at CHED auditorium in Quezon City.

Being a higher education with Autonomous Status, UIC enjoys a number of benefits, however it also demands big responsibilities.

The school administration and the whole UIC community rejoiced at the attainment of this goal. For years, several strides have been done to revisit the delivery of quality education. UIC has to assess its existing resources and capabilities to reckon with.

At present, the University is offering basic education, tertiary education, graduate and post graduate studies. The Basic Education offers pre-school education, grade school, Junior and Senior High School. The higher education has 33 program offerings; 17 major offerings for graduate studies; and 3 major offerings for post graduate studies.

To support the University, it has a strong profile of administrators and faculty who are most qualified to handle respective positions imbibed with strong Ignacian Marian core values, good training and discipline. A culture of respect for dignity of persons, commitment to service and good support for professional and spiritual endeavors are enriched and continually nurtured in forms of various seminars, workshops and updates.

True to the tripod function of being a university, UIC has a strong Research and Publication, Community Extension, Quality Assurance, Admission, and Marketing and Promotion Offices mobilized to look into sustainable developments to equip and prepare the University to global competence and internationalization.

UIC continues to update its physical facilities: buildings, classrooms and laboratories equipped with updated equipment and media technology to comfortably accommodate the existing and increasing population.

Finally, last April 3, 2017, Federation of Accrediting agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) have issued certification Level IV Accredited Status to the Liberal Arts, Elementary and Secondary education and Business Administration programs. Likewise, UIC in Davao City was awarded institutional accreditation by Federation of Accrediting agencies of the Philippines ( FAAP) last December 2016. Currently , UIC has three(3) programs awarded as Center of Development (COD) namely, ICT, Teacher Education and Business Management. Eigthteen (18) programs from the tertiary level have received certification for its respective accreditation status from Federation of Accrediting agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) through the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

True to its mission to offering quality and excellent education, the University conducted evaluations, surveys and interviews to determine what has been done and whether the school is really moving towards the set directions. Results of the action research became a guide to work on growth areas like : improvement of processes, procedures, review and revisit of the curriculum and instruction, faculty development, and research .

UIC which has existed for 112 years remains faithful as a Catholic university that envisions transformation of society in response to the signs of times and continues its mission to exercise leadership and excellence. Steadfastly, UIC has to ensure sustainability now that it has regained its Autonomous Status.