A Legacy of Innovation: The Story of BatStateU – College of Engineering Technology

More than a century ago, in 1903, Batangas State University began its journey as a Manual Training School with a focused mission: to provide young men with practical skills for gainful employment, particularly in the field of woodworking. Under the leadership of its first American principal, Mr. Sheer, the school laid the foundation for what would become a transformative force in technical and vocational education in the region.

The school’s operations were interrupted by World War II, but its spirit endured. In 1945, it reopened, driven by a renewed commitment to education. Two years later, in 1947, vocational courses for girls were introduced, reflecting the school’s evolving inclusivity and expanding role in society.

By 1953, the institution was renamed the Pablo Borbon Memorial Trade School in honor of Don Pablo Borbon, a distinguished Batangueño leader. Its growing contribution to industrial manpower in the province led to its elevation as the Pablo Borbon Memorial Regional School of Arts and Trades through Republic Act 4760.

In 1963, the school began offering opportunity classes for unemployed and out-of-school youth in trades such as Automotive, Machine Shop Practice, Electricity, Radio Mechanics, Cosmetology, and Dressmaking—programs that directly empowered individuals and addressed community needs. Progress did not stop there. In 1978, under the guidance of Dr. Mariano O. Albayalde, then Dean of Instruction, the school launched a three-year Industrial Technician Education curriculum patterned after the Manila Technician Institute. This would later evolve into the Diploma of Technology, aligning with the Technical-Vocational Education Project of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS). These changes marked the institution’s shift toward a more formalized and comprehensive technical education pathway.

A significant milestone was reached in 1983 when the school acquired a three-hectare site in Brgy. Alangilan, Batangas City, spearheaded by then-college president Mr. Isabelo Evangelio. This new campus would soon become the heart of its engineering and technology programs, beginning with the construction of the College for Industrial Technology (CIT) building.

As the nation advanced into the era of modernization, so too did the institution. In the late 1990s, a range of advanced engineering technology programs was introduced, including Civil, Computer, Drafting, and Electronics Engineering Technology, as well as specialized fields such as Instrumentation and Control, Mechatronics, Petroleum, and Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering Technology.

Recognizing its academic evolution and broader scope, the institution underwent a formal change in academic identity. From its roots as a Manual Training School, it evolved into the College of Industrial Technology. By virtue of Board of Regents (BOR) Resolution No. 160, Series of 2023, it was subsequently renamed the College of Engineering Technology (CET), a name that better reflects its expanded vision and specialized focus.

This transformation was accompanied by the shift from a singular Bachelor of Industrial Technology degree with 11 majors into 11 distinct Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) programs, namely Automotive Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Drafting Engineering Technology, Food Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics Engineering Technology, and Welding and Fabrication Engineering Technology – each recognized as independent disciplines. This transition was solidified through BOR Resolution No. 158, Series of 2023, while the approval of these programs was affirmed through BOR Resolution No. 159, Series of 2023. All three resolutions were officially passed on December 19, 2023, marking a defining moment in the College’s history.

At present, CET remains at the forefront of higher technical education, committed to excellence and innovation. It continues to enrich the knowledge and skills of its students through advanced facilities, industry partnerships, and initiatives such as the Dual Training System (DTS)—ensuring that its graduates are prepared not just for employment but for leadership in the dynamic world of engineering and technology.

From its humble beginnings to its current status as a regional leader in engineering and technology education, the College has remained true to its mission: to shape competent, ethical, and globally competitive professionals equipped to meet the demands of the 21st century and beyond.