Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11585)
Republic Act No. 11585 converts the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) in Naga City, Camarines Sur, into a state university to be known as the Southeast Asian University of Technology and appropriates funds for this conversion.
The university shall primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional, technical, and vocational instruction and training in sciences, arts, education, entrepreneurship, engineering, and other related courses, as well as undertake research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization.
The University shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses within its competencies and specializations, including engineering, industrial technology, arts and sciences, architecture, nontraditional courses, and other fields relevant to the needs of Camarines Sur and the Bicol Region.
The Board is composed of the CHED Chairperson (Chair), the University President (Co-chair), the Chairpersons of the Senate and House Committees on Higher and Technical Education, regional directors of NEDA, DOST, Department of Agriculture, TESDA, presidents of the faculty, student, and alumni federations, and two prominent citizens from the private sector appointed by the Board.
The Board can promulgate policies, approve curricula, appoint officials, fix salaries and fees, institute scholarship programs, receive government support, set admission policies, award honorary degrees, establish research centers, determine academic arrangements, authorize management audits, and enter into joint ventures to benefit the University.
The University President serves a term of four years and is eligible for reappointment for another term. The incumbent president of BISCAST shall serve as the first University President for a transition period of two years and may be reappointed for a full four-year term afterwards.
The University enjoys academic freedom and institutional autonomy pursuant to Paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
No student shall be denied admission based on gender, religion, cultural or community affiliation, physical disability, or ethnic origin. The University must also provide scholarship and affirmative action programs to assist poor but deserving students.
All assets, liabilities, personnel, and records of BISCAST are transferred to the University. Existing faculty and personnel retain their positions and tenure status, and the University may upgrade its human resource components as deemed necessary by the Board.
The Board fixes tuition and necessary fees, the proceeds of which, including government subsidies and income from auxiliary services, constitute special trust funds. Income generated is retained by the University and may be used for instruction, research, extension services, or other programs.
The Board convenes regularly every three months. A quorum consists of the majority of all members holding office, provided either the Chairperson of the Board (CHED Chairperson) or the President of the University is present.
The University may develop academic arrangements and consortia with public, private, local, or foreign institutions to build institutional capacity, and collaborate in restructuring and absorbing other tertiary institutions within Camarines Sur and the Bicol Region.
The conversion takes effect only upon the determination by CHED, based on a panel of experts' recommendation, that BISCAST has complied with university status requirements under CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, series of 2012.
The University is exempt from customs duties on importation of economic, technical, and cultural books and publications upon CHED certification. Donations, grants, and contributions used exclusively by the University are also exempt from donor's tax and deductible from the donor's gross income.