Tarlac State University - History of Tarlac State University

History of Tarlac State University

Tarlac State University (TSU) was established at the same time that public education was developed in Central Luzon and the Philippines. Initially TSU was seen as a trade school, and its origin as such could be traced to as early as 1906, when the director of public instruction mandated the offering of intermediate grades and selected areas in the country to cater to industrial and vocational courses.

In 1909, under the auspices of the provincial government and the Provincial High School, this school begun to instruct secondary students. By 1921, it evolved into a full secondary school. In 1931, the trade school was annexed to Tarlac High School during the principal ship of Russel Taylor – a status it maintained until the onset and the end of the Second World War.

In 1946, immediately after the war, Tarlac Trade School was officially separated from the Tarlac High School, with the appointment of Manuel T. Espinosa as its principal. More than a decade later, in 1959, the Congress of the Philippines approved House Bill 1006, jointly sponsored by Congressmen Constancio Castaneda and Jose Roy, converting Tarlac Trade School into Tarlac School of Arts and Trades (TSAT); with Mr. Espinosa also becoming its first Superintendent. As a nationalized academic institution, TSAT began to offer collegiate technical education courses in the province.

In 1965, Tarlac School of Arts and Trades (TSAT) and Tarlac National Agricultural School (TNAS) in Camiling, Tarlac, were merged to become the Tarlac College of Technology. TNAS became TCT-College of Agriculture (TCT-CA) while TSAT became the Tarlac College of Technology – College of Arts and Trades (TCT-CAT) by virtue of RA 4337. Then Dr. Mario Manese was appointed as its first president (1965–1972), who introduced the courses on teacher education and engineering.

Prof. Jack Smith replaced Dr. Manese in 1972 as TCT President. It was during his early tenure, when Presidential Decree 609 was mandated in 1974, which instructed the separation of TCT from its agricultural component, which became the present Tarlac College of Agriculture in Camiling. Smith's lengthy stay in TCT saw its expansion as a state college, particularly with the acquisition of a 10-hectare lot in Barrios Ungot and Maliwalo that came to be known as Lucinda Campus and which eventually became the site of the Laboratory School and various agro-industrial projects of the institution. It was during the term of Prof. Smith that the 5-Year Engineering Course (B. Sc. Civil Engineering Degree Program) was realized with the first batch of graduates, followed by Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering graduates.

In 1976, the TCT organized the Graduate School with academic programs leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Education, with majors in Guidance in Counseling and Educational Management. In 1978, the TCT set-up degree programs in Master of Public Administration, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and the revised two-year Trade Technical Education. In 1983, the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Bachelor of Elementary Education (Degree Programs) were offered.

Dr. Ernesto Cosme was designated Officer-in-Charge in September 1984, eventually becoming TCT's third and last president. It was during his administration that R.A. 6764 was signed into law by then President Corazon C. Aquino on October 13, 1989, converting TCT into Tarlac State University (TSU); thereby serving as its acting president. The conversion was made possible through the sponsorship of Tarlac's three congressional district congressmen namely, Jose Cojuangco Jr., Jose Yap and Hermie Aquino. Dr. Cosme's stay in both the TCT and TSU saw the further expansion of the physical structure and academic programs. Modern buildings rose on the 1.2 hectare Main Campus and the 10 hectare Lucinda Campus. Additional programs were opened, such as Doctor of Education Management in Consortium with the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), Bachelor in Secondary Education, Bachelor of Science and Accountancy, Business Administration major in Entrepreneurship, Chemistry, and Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences.

On August 8, 1990, the TSU Board of Regents appointed Dr. Alejandro Fernandez. Then Professor of Political Science and Ninoy Aquino Professor of Development in the University of the Philippines, as the first president of TSU. During this time, TSU was able to acquire its more than eight hectares for a third campus in San Isidro under a 50year lease contract with the provincial government. Upon the end of the term of Dr. Fernandez, Graduate School Dean of Dr. Priscillla Viuya, was appointed as OIC of TSU effective February 28 up to mid-September 1994.

On September 14, 1994, TUP Professor Dr. Rodolfo Baking, was appointed by the BOR as the second president of the University. Like his predecessors, his administrative policies were geared towards the upgrading of academic standard and the offering of curricular programs that will cater to the development needs of the government and the private sector. Unfortunately Dr. Baking was not able to finish his term.

On December 5, 1996, the Board designated Academic Affairs vice president Dr. Dolores G. Matias as OIC. As an OIC, she steered the University into attaining its visions and missions of offering relevant quality education to the people of Tarlac and its neighboring provinces. During her incumbency, the Graduate School and College of Business and Accountancy attained level two accreditation while the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Education attained level one accreditation. The College of Engineering, which already had a level one accreditation, was proposed for the next level accreditation. The Colleges of Technology and Architecture were readied to undergo the same process. During this time, passing average in the board examination of the graduates improved. Other courses were opened like B.S. in Computer Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Public Administration. The Ed. D. major in I.E.M. was continued to be offered by the University on its own, now without the consortium, while another major, educational management, was added to the Ed. D. program. The Testing Center was institutionalized and evening classes were organized. Additional classrooms and university facilities were also built and the students were accorded a function room and added space for their use. The student population during this time increased to more than 10,000.

Dr. Matias was appointed as the third University President by the Board of Regents on March 25, 1998. During this year, she did not only actively herself in the affairs of the university but also in the region as chair of the Development Council of State Universitites and Colleges (DC-SUC III) and representative of the region to the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), among others.

A reorganized University administrative structure gave way to a third Vice President, that of Planning, Research and Extension. Emphasis was placed not only on instruction but also on research, extension and production. Research proposals were submitted to the Commission on Higher Education, the Department of Science and Technology and other entities for fudnding. Extension service ot the community was enhanced and income generation was intensified. University policies were reviewed as the University Code was written in celebration of the centennial of the Philippine Revolution. TSU became strongly aware of its roles and responsibilities in nation building by establishing its tradition of excellence. Cooperativism was encouraged. It was during this time that the College of Computer Science attained its full-fledged status as a college and the CAS was organized into to two separate colleges - the College of Science and the College of Arts and Social Sciences. Course offerings were reevaluated and updated as new curriculum were opened.

In 1999, TSU became a Center of Development in Electrical Engineering due to the high performance of its graduates in board examinations. Christina Timbang, a BSBA graduate placed third in the 1999 Accountancy Board, Rolando Roxas placed fourth in the Electrical Engineering Board, and Julieta Barriento placed first in the Teacher's Board, province wide.

In response to the challenge for the SUC's to generate income to augment the dwindling resources from government, the TSU Administration established a Business Center, which took charge of income generating projects.

In 2001, a streamlined organization structure made and implemented as soon as Dr. Matias assumed into office resulted in a functional and revitalized university organization. A new awareness on the function, roles and responsibilities of each office from the top down to the Deans and Directors created a new sense of leadership and accountability.

Curricular programs were continuously developed and upgraded. Offered for the first time were Doctor of Public Administration (1998), AB Theater Arts (1999), AB Journalism (1999), BS Nutrition and Food Technology (2000), BS Electronics & Communication Engineering (2002), BS in Information Technology and Graduate Diploma in Information Technology (2002) and BS Mathematics (2002).

In terms of Accreditation, in 1999 the following courses attained level 2 accredited status: BS Civil Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering and BS Mechanical Engineering. In 2000 the following courses attained level 2 accredited status: BS Social Science (History), BS Chemistry, BS Elementary Education, BS Secondary Education and BS Industrial Education; while the following courses attained level 1 - candidate status: BS Computer Science, BS Architecture and BS Technology major in EIT, FAT and MPT. In December 2001, the doctoral and master's programs of the Graduate School, BS Accountancy and BSBA Entrepreneurship were submitted for first resurvey visit which is the first step towards a level 3 status.

The year 2003 saw TSU investing heavily on Information Technology (IT). Likewise, it also provided additional instrastructure that would facilitate academic, cultural and sports activities. Trainings were conducted to the University personnel by the TSU Administration. Also, during this year, a number of faculty members continued to enjoy scholarships.

The university continued to perform well in the board examinations. In the November 2003 Civil Engineering board exam, TSU graduate Renato Belmonte, Jr. placed fourth. In the May 2003 Certified Public Accountant's Board Exam, Meozah Campana placed third, while, Israel Basilio placed 13th. In the June 2003 Architect's Licensure Exam, Marvin Tejada, placed seventh.

Courses for offering abroad were also opened by the university: the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, in association with the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) for students in Hong Kong and China, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with different fields of specialization for students in Hong Kong and China (2004), the Diploma in Environmental Management Curriculum under the College of Science for Chinese Students (2004), and Bachelor in Secondary Education major in Christian Education (2002).

The College of Computer Studies became very active in curriculum development such that, during this year, the College was able to come up with five course offerings: BS Computer Science (BSCS), Information Technology (BSIT), Information Management (BSIM), Ladderized BSIT specializing in System Design and Programming (SDP) and Hardware Development (HD), and a Post-Baccalaureate One-Year Diploma in IT.

In research, attention was focused on science and technology. A number of researches were completed while a number of researches were continued by the proponents. Programs / projects in research evolved around improvement of instruction; environment, solid waste management, health and safety; and, in support for micro, small and Medium enterprises in Tarlac Province.

Added to the curriculum were MPA in Health Management, Master in Engineering Program (Electrical Engineering), BS Nursing and Master in Business Administration. In 2004, the courses MS in Information Technology and MS Civil Engineering were offered.

In 2004, TSU garnered the highest level as far as the regional office assessment is concerned as part of three major evaluation processes, which were initiated by the CHED and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

In June 2005, Bachelor of Physical Education was opened while Bachelor in Public Administration was added to the existing MPA and DPA programs to complete the vertical articulation of the College of Public Administration. Complete devolution of graduate programs to mother colleges has been undertaken. Likewise, faculty members visited Korea as a result of a tie-up with Busan University.

The College of Nursing building in the Lucinda campus was occupied in June 2005. Other infrastructure projects followed during Dr. Matias term. This includes the Business Center Building which houses the canteen.

The term of Dr. Matias ended on March 25, 2006.

Dr. Priscilla C. Viuya, Vice President for Academic Affairs during the time of Dr. Dolores G. Matias, became the 4th President of Tarlac State University by virtue of Board Resolution number Resolution No. 120, s. 2006 effective March 26, 2006.

As president, she has taken steps to introduce new programs and build a stronger international profile. These measures were linked closely to the university's vision of maintaining a culture of excellence in instruction and research by promoting quality, higher education programs for people empowerment and professional development.

In her first year, new major fields in the master's programs have been approved: MAED major in English, Filipino, and Physical Science under the College of Education in 2006; Diploma in Human Resource Management under the College of Public Administration in 2006; and Master of Arts in Nursing under the College of Nursing (2007). In the College of Business Administration, the Bachelor of Science major in Marketing and Ph.D. in Business Administration (2006) had been approved by the Board of Trustees and so with the 5-year program for BS Accountancy (2007).

Nelvin Nool, an education graduate of TSU, topped the Licensure Examination for teachers in August 2006.

The Certificate in Asian Intercultural Studies Program for foreign exchange students is the tool to widely open the University to the international market. The university also entered into a consortium with the Fell Academy of Korea to meet the academic needs of Korean students of the Republic of Korea. A MOA was also signed with Troy University which operates several programs in the Southeast Asia. A memorandum of agreement was signed with the Tianjin Radio and Television University in Home Economics in April 2007. Several other MOAs were signed with institutions in China and Hong Kong where extension of TSU program offerings are actively pursued. An important MOA has been entered with Health Care Maintenance Institution (HCMI) that would open the way for the Medical course at TSU. These Medical courses will open for foreign and local students with HCMI sponsoring the infrastructure needs and requirements of the course. Today most programs of TSU are accredited with AACCUP and in terms of leveling, TSU is level 3 second resurvey visit.

A call center was also established at TSU in April 2007 for the integrated outsourcing program. This is a CHED-TSU partnership that aims to provide greater opportunities to TSU and Tarlac.

The important element in Dr. Viuya's leadership is developing ties with universities and other leading institutions around the world, while supporting free expression, reasoned discourse and diversity in ideas.

It is also during this time that the International Guest House was constructed along with the Commercial Center, the Lucinda Campus Food House and the College of Science/Office of Registration & Admissions.

The College of Education, College of Business & Accountancy, and the College of Public Administration underwent 3rd survey on January 9–12, 2007 where only the College of Education MAED and EDD program passed except for the Library.

The College of Education and College of Public Administration underwent 3rd survey revisit on March 5–7, 2008 where MPA, DPA, Ed.D., M.A.Ed., programs were accredited. In 2011, all these graduate programs along with BS Chemistry, MBA and DBA programs passed the third survey, 2nd revisit.

Additional classrooms and university facilities were also built and the students were accorded a function room and added space for ftheir use. The student population increased to more than 15,000.