Batangas State University as National Engineering University

Policy and purpose as national engineering university

The State shall promote quality education that is accessible and relevant to the changing needs of the people and society, and shall strengthen engineering curricula consistent with global standards (Section 2).
Batangas State University (BatStateU) is declared as the national engineering university (Section 2).
The BatStateU shall provide world-class engineering training, including molding students into responsible citizens aware of their role in nation-building (Section 3(a)).
The BatStateU shall offer advanced studies and specialization for engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, industry practitioners, and other professionals, primarily for those who serve as faculty of state and private colleges and universities (Section 3(b)).
The BatStateU shall strengthen engineering programs through industry-driven and emerging engineering programs, collaboration between the academe and engineering industries, and innovative pedagogies through the Center for Innovations in Engineering Education (Section 3(c)).
The BatStateU shall function as a research university in engineering and related specialization by conducting basic and applied research and development, promoting research collaboration, and contributing to dissemination and application of knowledge (Section 3(d)).
The BatStateU shall intensify high-impact research, startups and spinoffs, and technology transfer in specified areas (electronic systems, environment, information and computing technology, material science and testing, and advanced manufacturing) through the STEER Hub research centers recognized as a center of Science, Technology, Engineering and Environment Research in the CALABARZON region (Section 3(e)).
The BatStateU shall lead in setting academic standards and initiating innovations in advanced instruction, research, and professional training, and maintain centers of excellence in engineering disciplines and professions (Section 3(f)).
The BatStateU shall offer undergraduate and graduate courses within its specialization areas and capabilities, including specified fields beyond engineering (medical and allied health, natural and applied sciences, teacher education, business, technology, management, social sciences, arts and culture, agriculture, and related fields) as determined by the Board of Regents (Section 3(g)).
The BatStateU shall protect, conserve, and strategically manage the Verde Island Passage (VIP) by developing biodiversity experts, conducting collaborative research, marine exploration, community education and training, and establishing the Verde Island Passage Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences (VP CORALS) as the National Center for Marine Bio-Diversity in VIP (Section 3(h)).
The BatStateU shall generate productive knowledge, innovation, and technology to develop relevant technical higher-order skills for global competitiveness (Section 3(i)).
The BatStateU shall provide academic programs in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and contribute to resilient communities through the ACTION Center endorsed as the National Center for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation Education and Research (Section 3(j)).
The BatStateU shall contribute to economic growth and jobs creation, including domestic and foreign investment, through the Knowledge, Innovation and Science Technology (KIST) Park designated as a Special Economic Zone by Presidential Proclamation No. 947 (May 22, 2020) (Section 3(k)).
The BatStateU shall serve as a public service university through community, public, and volunteer service, and scholarly and technical assistance to government, private sector, and civil society while maintaining excellence (Section 3(l)).
The BatStateU shall strengthen its Laboratory and Integrated Schools for basic education by adopting advanced teaching and learning on science, technology, engineering and mathematics as feeder schools for engineering, science, and technology programs (Section 3(m)).
The Integrated School operation shall be self-liquidating through payment of tuition and other school fees approved by the governing board (Section 3(m)).
The BatStateU shall protect and promote the professional and economic rights and welfare of its academic and nonacademic personnel (Section 3(n)).
The BatStateU shall promote nationalism and pride in national identity through leadership and learning in democratic values and institutions, including sports and other programs (Section 3(o)).
The BatStateU shall act as a regional and global university through cooperation with international unions, networks, and scholarly and professional associations in the Asia Pacific and worldwide (Section 3(p)).
The BatStateU shall adopt democratic governance based on collegiality, representation, accountability, transparency, and active participation, including forums for students, faculty, researchers, extension specialists, staff, and alumni on nonacademic issues affecting the BatStateU (Section 3(q)).

University composition and academic freedom

The BatStateU is composed of both constituent and extension campuses established by its governing board upon recommendation of its President (Section 4).
Constituent campuses include BatStateU-Pablo Borbon, BatStateU-Alangulan, BatStateU-Apolinario R. Apacible School of Fisheries (ARASOF)-Nasugbu, BatStateU-JPLPC-Malvar, BatStateU-Lipa, and any future constituent campuses (Section 4).
Extension campuses include Lobo Campus, Mabini Campus, Balayan Campus, Rosario Campus, Lemery Campus, San Juan Campus, and any future extension campuses (Section 4).
The BatStateU enjoys academic freedom as provided in Republic Act No. 8292 and paragraph 2, Section 5 of Article XIV of the Constitution (Section 5).

Development commitments and access guarantees

The BatStateU shall ensure at least fifty percent (50%) of total enrollment is in engineering and technology related programs (Section 6(a)).
The BatStateU shall discontinue offering new programs that are not allied with engineering and technology and not supportive of multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary curriculum design and content (Section 6(b)).
The BatStateU shall accelerate faculty development in engineering and technology (Section 6(c)).
The BatStateU shall lead in scientific, innovative, technological research and development, and the generation, dissemination, and application of research-based knowledge (Section 6(d)).
The BatStateU shall relate its activities to Filipino people’s needs and aspirations for social progress and transformation and may provide venues for volunteerism (Section 7).
The BatStateU shall take affirmative steps, including alternative and equitable admission processes, to enhance access of disadvantaged students (indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and poor but deserving students such as valedictorians and salutatorians of public schools and students from depressed areas) to its programs and services (Section 8).
The BatStateU shall not deny admission solely on the basis of age, gender, nationality, religious belief, economic status, ethnicity, physical disability, and political opinion or affiliation (Section 8).
The BatStateU shall guarantee religious freedom and shall not discriminate on the basis of religion (Section 8).

Governance structure and core institutions

The BatStateU is treated with greater flexibility as a national engineering university to determine teaching, research, extension thrusts, plans, policies, programs, and standards consistent with its purpose and national goals and priorities approved by the Board of Regents (Section 10).
The BatStateU shall have the general powers of a corporation under Republic Act No. 11232, and administration and corporate powers are vested exclusively in the Board of Regents and the President (Section 11).
Central administration is headed by the BatStateU President for academic excellence, research, extension services, infrastructure development, linkages and partnerships, and resource management (Section 11).
Vice Presidents are designated by the Board of Regents upon recommendation of the President, subject to limitations and delegated authority by the President and authorized by the Board (Section 11).
Constituent campuses are administered by a Chancellor designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President, subject to limitations and delegated authority authorized by the Board (Section 11).
Vice Chancellors for constituent campuses are designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President, subject to limitations and the University Administrative Manual (Section 11).
Extension campuses are headed by Campus Directors designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President, subject to limitations and delegated authority authorized by the Board (Section 11).

Board of Regents composition and operation

The governing body is the Board of Regents (Section 12).
The Board is chaired by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and co-chaired by the BatStateU President (Section 12).
Board members include:
- Chairperson of the Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education of the Philippine Senate (Section 12(a))
- Chairperson of the Committee on Higher and Technical Education of the House of Representatives (Section 12(b))
- Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) (Section 12(c))
- Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) (Section 12(d))
- President of the federation of faculty associations of BatStateU (Section 12(e))
- President of the federation of student councils of BatStateU (Section 12(f))
- President of the federation of alumni associations of BatStateU (Section 12(g))
- Representatives of the nonteaching personnel association of TSU (Section 12(h))
- Two (2) private sector representatives chosen from at least three (3) qualified persons recommended by a search committee constituted by the President in consultation with CHED and other Board members, based on standards set by the Board (Section 12(i)).
At least one (1) private sector representative must have distinctive contribution in engineering and technology, reputable practice of the profession, and advancement of engineering education (Section 12(i)).
Regents holding office at the time of effectivity continue until the expiration of their appointments (Section 12).
Federation presidents’ terms (faculty, student councils, and alumni) are coterminous with their terms under their constitutions and bylaws (Section 12).
Faculty, alumni, and student councils in each constituent campus must organize to form federations, which elect federation officials (Section 12).
The alumni representative to the Board must not be a faculty or employee of BatStateU at the time of representation (Section 12).
The two (2) private sector representatives serve a term of two (2) years and may be reappointed only for another term (Section 12).
In case of vacancy in the Office of the President, the officer-in-charge designated by the Board serves only the unexpired term or until a new President is elected (Section 12).

Board compensation, meetings, quorum

Members serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses incurred for attendance to meetings and authorized official business, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations (Section 13).
The Board convenes regularly, and the Chairperson may call special meetings whenever necessary (Section 14).
Members must be notified in writing at least five (5) working days before a meeting, and the notice must contain a brief description of agenda items (Section 14).
A majority of all Board members holding office at the time of the meeting constitutes quorum, and the CHED Chairperson or BatStateU President must be present (Section 14).
If the CHED Chairperson is absent, a CHED Commissioner duly designated by the CHED Chairperson to the meeting acts as a regular member with rights and responsibilities (Section 14).
During the meeting, the BatStateU President, as Vice Chairperson, presides, unless the CHED Chairperson designates a CHED Commissioner as regular Chairperson, in which case the CHED Commissioner presides (Section 14).
Senate and House committee chairs and DOST Secretary may designate representatives if they cannot attend; NEDA and DOST are represented by their respective Regional Directors in CALABARZON (Section 14).
Designees are entitled to voice and vote, and Board members may vote through remote communication and in absentia as provided in Section 49 of Republic Act No. 11232 (Section 14).

Board powers, tuition, autonomy governance

The Board defines academic thrusts and institutional goals and adopts broad policy guidelines for effective implementation (Section 15(a)).
The Board preserves the integrity of the BatStateU (Section 15(b)).
The Board approves instruction, merger, or abolition of academic programs upon recommendation of the University’s Academic Council through the President (Section 15(c)).
The Board creates, organizes, reorganizes, merges, or abolishes constituent campuses, extension campuses, colleges, institutes, and other academic and administrative units (Section 15(d)).
The Board approves curricula, institutional programs, and rules on student discipline drawn by the Administrative and Academic Councils as provided in the Act (Section 15(e)).
The Board approves student discipline rules recommended by the Academic Council through the President, retains review and final judgment on student disciplinary cases (Section 15(f)).
The Board approves graduation and the granting of honors upon recommendation of the Academic Council through the President (Section 15(g)).
The Board appoints faculty members and other officials and employees upon recommendation of the President in accordance with compensation and position classification systems, subject to DBM review and approval (Section 15(h)).
The Board fixes and adjusts salaries and benefits, determines faculty and staff hours of service and terms and conditions of employment, grants leave, and removes employees for cause after due investigation and proper hearing (Section 15(h)).
The Board fixes tuition fees and other necessary school charges after due consultation with students concerned (Section 15(i)).
Tuition fees and other charges, including government support and other income generated by the BatStateU, constitute its special trust funds deposited in an authorized government depository bank; interest accrues to the same funds for BatStateU use (Section 15(i)).
Income generated and collected by the BatStateU (including its subsidiaries and auxiliary services and land grants) is retained by the BatStateU and disbursed for instruction, research, extension services, student and personnel welfare and benefits, acquisition/maintenance/repair of facilities and infrastructure, and expenses necessary to attain purposes under the approved program of expenditures (Section 15(i)).
If projects funded under an approved program cannot be pursued for reasons beyond control, the Board may authorize use of funds for reasonable and urgent purposes necessary to attain objectives, including professional growth and benefits (Section 15(i)).
Trust funds created by law for a specific purpose other than special trust funds constituted in the Act cannot be reprogrammed to other expenditures (Section 15(i)).
The Board adopts and implements a socialized scheme of tuition and other school fees for greater access of poor but deserving students in accordance with Republic Act No. 10931 (Section 15(j)).
The Board receives and appropriates sums provided by law and other sums it may determine to carry out BatStateU purposes (Section 15(k)).
The Board sets policies on admission and graduation of students (Section 15(l)).
The Board awards honorary degrees to recognize learning, statesmanship, or eminence in engineering, science, technology, education, public service, or other fields within BatStateU academic competency upon recommendation of a committee created by the President, and honorary degrees cannot be conferred in consideration of any payment, gift, or other valuable consideration (Section 15(m)).
The Board establishes research and extension centers (Section 15(n)).
The Board authorizes faculty and staff to travel abroad to study, deliver papers, attend conferences, and disseminate research if the fellowship, scholarship, or grant is authorized by the Board; research funded by BatStateU must undertake research with promising commercial applications and participating faculty and staff may participate in financial or economic benefits subject to rules and regulations (Section 15(o)).
The Board provides fellowships, scholarships, grants, including athletic grants, to award to faculty, staff, and students with special merit evidence, especially poor but deserving individuals (Section 15(p)).
The Board develops academic arrangements for capability building with public, private, local, or foreign institutions and appoints experts/consultants as consultants, part-time, visiting, or exchange professors, scholars, and researchers, as applicable (Section 15(q)).
The Board develops consortia and other economic forms of linkages with local government units and public/private/local/foreign institutions and agencies (Section 15(r)).
The Board may enter into joint ventures or PPPs with business and industry for profitable development and management of economic assets, with proceeds used for BatStateU strengthening and student and personnel benefits (Section 15(s)).
The Board may receive in trust legacies, gifts, and donations of real and personal properties and administer and dispose them for BatStateU benefit subject to donor limitations, discretion, and instructions, if any (Section 15(t)).
The Board may extend the term of the President beyond the age of retirement but not beyond seventy (70), based on Board guidelines and standards, if performance is rated outstanding and the search committee makes a unanimous recommendation (Section 15(u)).
The Board elects the President through democratic consultation with the university community based on Board standards and guidelines (Section 15(v)).
The Board may extend faculty tenure beyond compulsory retirement age on recommendation of the units and endorsement of the President when services are especially needed, but no extension may be made beyond seventy (70) (Section 15(w)).
The Board authorizes construction or repair of buildings, machinery, equipment, and facilities and purchases or acquisitions of real property and necessary supplies, materials, and equipment (Section 15(x)).
The Board may delegate any powers and duties to the President or other officials as it deems appropriate to expedite administration (Section 15(y)).
The Board prescribes rules for its own government and discipline of faculty and other personnel and enacts governance policies, rules, and regulations consistent with law and BatStateU purposes (Section 15(z)).
The Board privatizes management of specified nonacademic services where most advantageous, including health, food, building or grounds, or property maintenance, and similar activities (Section 15(aa)).
The Board develops mechanisms for efficient adoption of PPPs in research, instruction, extension, and acquisition of facilities and structures (Section 15(bb)).
The Board promulgates rules and regulations necessary to carry out BatStateU purposes and functions (Section 15(cc)).

Presidency, secretary, and academic councils

The President is the BatStateU’s chief academic officer, head of the university, faculty head, and chief executive officer (Section 16).
The President exercises powers specifically provided in the Act, those determined by the Board, those pertaining to the Office of the President, and powers related or necessary to functions (Section 16).
The President is elected by the Board upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee and provides full-time service (Section 16).
The President’s term is four (4) years and the President may be reappointed for another term upon recommendation of a duly constituted search committee (Section 16).
If the Office of the President becomes vacant due to death, resignation, removal for cause, or incapacity, the Board designates an Officer-in-Charge pending appointment of a new President (Section 16).
The search and appointment of the next President must not exceed ninety (90) calendar days from the date the vacancy occurs (Section 16).
The Officer-in-Charge shall not be allowed to join as a candidate in the search process (Section 16).
The President’s salary is governed by Republic Act No. 11466 (Salary Standardization Law of 2019) and related amendatory laws and the CHED-DBM joint circular leveling instrument and guidelines (Section 16).
The Board designates a Secretary of the BatStateU who shall also be the Secretary of the Board and keeps BatStateU records (Section 17).
The Academic Council consists of the President (Chairperson), Vice President for Academic Affairs (Vice Chairperson), and all faculty members holding rank of assistant professor and higher (Section 18).
The Academic Council is the highest academic body and shall:
- Review and propose academic policies and standards and curricular offerings and instruction evaluation/assessment systems (Section 19(a))
- Recommend to the Board, through the President, the award of honorary degrees (Section 19(b))
- Fix admission requirements, graduation requirements, and grant of honors subject to university policies and guidelines (Section 19(c))
- Recommend to the Board, through the President, academic calendar preparation, student life matters, standards of conduct and discipline, living conditions, organizations, sports, culture and arts, and participation in extracurricular activities (Section 19(d))
- Prescribe academic programs (institution, revision, abolition and merger) subject to Board approval (Section 19(e))
- Recommend graduation and the grant of honors to the Board through the President (Section 19(f))
- Adopt internal rules of procedure not contrary to law and consistent with the Act (Section 19(g)).

Administrative, research, extension councils

A university Administrative Council is constituted with the President as Chairperson and members including Vice Presidents, chancellors, vice chancellors, deans, associate deans, directors, assistant directors, and other officials of equal rank; the President as Chairperson constitutes the council (Section 20).
The Administrative Council reviews and recommends, according to Board direction, policies governing administration, management, and development planning (Section 21).
A Research Council is constituted with the President as Chairperson, Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Services as Vice Chairperson, and designated directors and heads including those for academic and research management functions and the STEER Hub and established research centers (Section 22).
The Research Council acts as an advisory body to the President on research direction setting, planning, fund sourcing and allocation, and formulation/review of policies and guidelines for the BatStateU research program (Section 23).
An Extension Services Council is constituted with the President as Chairperson, Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Services as Vice Chairperson, and members including directors for extension and finance and related offices (Section 24).
The Extension Services Council advises the President on extension services direction, planning, fund sourcing and allocation, and review/recommendation of policies and guidelines for extension services programs (Section 25).
Each constituent campus is administered by a Chancellor designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President, reports to the President, and performs functions consistent with Board policies and rules (Section 26).

Faculty and student governance rights

Each college’s teaching staff constitutes its faculty, presided over by a Dean designated by the Board upon recommendation of the President (Section 27).
No political belief, gender preference, cultural or community affiliation, ethnic origin, or religious opinion/affiliation shall be a matter of inquiry in faculty appointments, subject to Board-set guidelines, qualifications, and standards (Section 27).
No faculty member shall teach for or against any particular church or religious sect (Section 27).
Student councils exist for every college (college student council) and every constituent campus (campus student council), and a federation of all student councils exists at the university level (Section 28).
The university student council consists of students from constituent and extension campuses elected to represent the studentry and serves as the primary student body to advance student interests, welfare, and aspirations (Section 28).
The student council adopts internal rules of procedure consistent with the Act (Section 28).
Every constituent campus shall establish a student publication funded by student fees, subject to due and comprehensive consultation with students; freedom of expression and autonomy in editorial and fiscal policy are guaranteed, including in the selection of editors and staff (Section 28).

Sports, culture, and national civic service

The BatStateU shall undertake and support comprehensive sports programs promoting physical education, excellence, and competitive sports participation; instill identity and solidarity; and cultivate pride, self-discipline, and teamwork (Section 9).
The BatStateU shall strengthen culture and the arts as strategic national resources and promote their importance to identity and social well-being while preserving cultural heritage (Section 9).
The BatStateU shall continue to serve the Filipino nation and humanity, relating activities to social progress and transformation, and it may provide venues for volunteerism (Section 7).

Land grants, real property ownership, and revenue limits

The State may support BatStateU as the national engineering university through lump sum amounts in annual General Appropriations Acts and other financial benefits, and in-kind support through land grants and donations and use of other real properties (Section 29).
Income derived from development of land grants and real properties shall be used to further university ends as determined by the Board (Section 29).
Parcels of land ceded by law, decree, or presidential issuance to BatStateU are reserved for the intended purposes, and BatStateU’s absolute ownership over those landholdings—including those with original and transfer certificates of title in the name of BatStateU and their future derivatives—is confirmed (Section 29).
Where certificate issuance remains pending for those landholdings, the appropriate government office may expedite issuance within six (6) months from effectivity if registration requirements for the titles have been submitted and complied with (Section 29).
The Board may plan, design, approve, and implement land leases, but such mechanisms must sustain and protect the environment in accordance with law and must be exclusive of the academic core zone of BatStateU campuses (Section 29).
Land lease mechanisms must not conflict with the academic mission of BatStateU (Section 29).
The Board may approve implementation of joint ventures, but if real properties of BatStateU are involved, only income derived by BatStateU from use of real properties may be part of the participation/obligation (Section 29).
Joint ventures shall not result in alienation of BatStateU real properties (Section 29).
Revenue-generating programs from land grants and other real properties must align with the university’s academic mission and orientation and protect the university from undue influence or control of commercial interests (Section 29).
Programs, projects, or mechanisms generating such revenues must be approved by the Board through a transparent and democratic process of consultation with BatStateU constituents (Section 29).
Funds generated from such programs, projects, or mechanisms shall not be meant to replace, in part or in whole, annual national government appropriations provided to BatStateU (Section 29).

Asset safeguards and disposition restrictions

Preservation of BatStateU asset value is a primordial consideration (Section 30).
Sale of any existing real property of BatStateU is prohibited (Section 30).
The Board may alienate real property donated after effectivity if the donation terms specifically allow alienation (Section 30).
Lease of assets of BatStateU for more than five (5) years and transactions under Section 30 are subject to conditions and procedures (Section 30).
Required procedures and conditions include:
- Board discussion in any formally convened regular or special meeting (Section 30(a)(1))
- Based on a multiyear comprehensive development plan crafted and developed by qualified urban planning professionals with at least five (5) years experience, with prior