QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11694)
The short title is the "Revised Batangas State University Charter." Its key purpose is to declare Batangas State University (BatStateU) as the National Engineering University and appropriate funds therefor.
The State shall promote quality, accessible, and relevant education and strengthen engineering curricula consistent with international standards, by declaring BatStateU as the national engineering university.
Examples include: (1) provide world-class engineering training and responsible citizenship; (2) offer advanced specialization and training primarily for faculty and professionals; (3) strengthen engineering programs via industry-driven and emerging programs and collaboration; (4) conduct basic and applied engineering R&D and knowledge dissemination; (5) lead high-impact research and technology transfer through STEER Hub; (6) lead VIP marine biodiversity protection and create VP CORALS; (7) support disaster risk management (DRM) education and research via ACTION Center; (8) contribute through the KIST Park Special Economic Zone; among others.
At least fifty percent (50%) of total enrolment must be in engineering and technology related programs; BatStateU must discontinue offering new programs not allied with engineering/technology and not supportive of multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary curriculum design; it must accelerate faculty development in engineering/technology and lead scientific/innovative/technological R&D.
BatStateU enjoys academic freedom as provided in RA 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997) and as provided for in paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution.
BatStateU has both constituent campuses and extension campuses established by its governing board upon the recommendation of its President. The law enumerates specific constituent campuses (e.g., Pablo Borbon, Alangulan, ARASOF–Nasugbu, JPLPC–Malvar, Lipa) and extension campuses (e.g., Lobo, Mabini, Balayan, Rosario, Lemery, San Juan).
Administration and corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President of the BatStateU.
The Chancellor administers a constituent campus, designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President, and reports to the President within the delegation authorized by the Board. Extension campuses are administered by Campus Directors, designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President, also within delegated authority.
The Board is chaired and co-chaired by the CHED Chairperson and BatStateU President, respectively, and includes Senate and House committee chairpersons (on higher/technical/vocational education), NEDA Director General, DOST Secretary, presidents of federations of faculty/student councils/alumni, and representatives from nonteaching personnel (as stated). It also includes two (2) private sector representatives chosen from qualified nominees, with one required to have distinctive contribution in engineering/technology and advancement of engineering education.
Quorum is a majority of all Board members holding office, with the CHED Chairperson or President among those present (and in their absence, a duly designated CHED Commissioner assumes regular-member rights). The President presides as Vice Chairperson, unless CHED authorizes a CHED Commissioner to act as regular Chairperson (presiding officer).
The Board may fix tuition and other charges after due consultation with students. Fees/charges (including government support and other income) become special trust funds deposited in authorized government depository banks, with interest forming part of the same funds. Income may be retained and disbursed for instruction, research, extension, student/faculty welfare, facilities/infrastructure, and other purposes, subject to limitations (e.g., trust funds created by law for a specific purpose cannot be reprogrammed).
The Board approves instruction, merger or abolition of academic programs upon recommendation via the Academic Council through the President. It approves curricula and rules on student discipline recommended through the Academic Council/President, while retaining final judgment on student disciplinary cases.
The President is elected by the Board upon recommendation of a search committee and renders full-time service. The term is four (4) years and may be reappointed to another term, subject to recommendation of a duly constituted search committee.
The incumbent President shall serve a new term as the first President of the national engineering university, subject to one (1) reappointment, pursuant to CHED Memorandum Order No. 16 (Series of 2009) guidelines stated in the Act.
Sale of existing real property is prohibited (except alienation of donated real property after effectivity if donation terms allow it). Lease of more than five (5) years requires Board discussion in formal meetings, a multiyear comprehensive development plan by qualified urban planning professionals with consultations and concurrence of third-party experts, competitive/public bidding under RA 9184, and additional fairness opinion procedures for failed biddings. For transactions above PHP 50,000,000, approval requires at least three-fourths of all Board members, and contract splitting to circumvent the requirement is not allowed.