POSITION PAPER

(CONVERSION OF NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY TO NUEVA ECIJA STATE UNIVERSITY)

STATEMENT OF THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF NUEVA ECIJA

UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) started in June,
1908 as a vocational course at the Wright Institute in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija where young
Filipinos were trained in woodworking and basic telegraphy. Said vocational course lasted
until SY 1927-1928 when the general secondary school was transferred to Cabanatuan
City.

On June 9, 1929, the school continued its operation in San Isidro, under a new
name, Nueva Ecija Trade School (NETS) with woodworking as the vocational course
offered in addition to the existing secondary curriculum inherited from the Wright Institute.

To meet the increasing demand for vocational education in the whole province, the
trade school was transferred on June 7, 1931, to Cabanatuan City. Enrolment increased but
the program was interrupted in December 1941 by the outbreak of the Second World War
in the Pacific.

Immediately after the war, the trade school was reopened on September 6, 1945.
Rehabilitation program took place. The trade school continued with its mission of meeting
the vocational and manpower needs of students coming from both Nueva Ecija and the
nearby provinces. On June 8, 1948, a course in dressmaking was opened and female
students were admitted in the School. A few years later, food trades and cosmetology
courses were also offered.

On May 8, 1953, the NETS was converted into the Central Luzon School of Arts
and Trades (CLSAT) by virtue of Republic Act No. 845. CLSAT was recognized as a
center of manpower/vocational training for both youths and adults not only in the province
but also in the whole Region III.

Series of developments continued until the CLSAT was converted into the Central
Luzon Polytechnic College (CLPC) by virtue of Republic Act No. 3998 which was signed
on June 18, 1964 by then President Diosdado Macapagal.

Thirty-four years later, the CLPC, under the leadership of President Gemiliano C.
Calling, was converted into a specialized university, the Nueva Ecija University of Science
and Technology by virtue of Republic Act. No 8612.

The Bill converting CLPC into NEUST was signed on February 19, 1998 by
Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. It was forwarded to President Fidel V. Ramos on February
24, 1998 and lapsed into law on March 27, 1998.

The University therefore, ensures that the requirements of business, industry,

services and other sectors as well as the needs of the local, regional and national
development for high quality professionals and highly skilled middle-level manpower are
addressed.

The leadership of Dr. Calling as the first University President ended up when he
died on July 5, 2006. The baton oaf leadership was turned over to Dr. Hilario C. Ortiz as
Acting President and then finally, he was formally sworn into office on August 5, 2007 as
the Second University President. On August 4, 2011, Atty. Hilario C. Ortiz, Ph. D. was
again given another four year term as University President.

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 Dr. Feliciana P. Jacoba was appointed as the third University President on February
10, 2016. Dr. Jacoba already made a mark on the history of NEUST as the first Woman
President of the University.

STATEMENT OF THE RECENT STATUS

AND ACCOMPLSHMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY

The University has eight (8) campuses that are strategically located in the province
of Nueva Ecija. The Province has a total population of 2,310,134 and has a strong,
economically active work force, 64.54% of which are either engaged into small or medium
enterprise or employed in the public and private institutions in the province.

The university which serves as conduit of development for the province of Nueva
Ecija is providing inclusive and accessible quality education, reaching out to the indigenous
peoples and other marginalized sector within the province and beyond.

In pursuing its vision of becoming locally responsive and internationally relevant

and recognized University of Science and Technology, NEUST is maintaining two primary
campuses at Sumacab and Gen. Tinio St. Campus both at Cabanatuan City and six satellite
campuses at Atate, Palayan City, Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, San Isidro, Gabaldon, Sto.
Domingo and Nampicuan.

It likewise entered into partnership with different municipalities in the province

through Off-campus programs. At present, the University is offering different courses in
off-campuses at Carranglan, Gen. Tinio, Peñaranda, San Antonio, San Leonardo and
Talavera, Nueva Ecija. With the said program, the University was able to bridge the gap in
terms of education with the residents of far-flung areas in the province.

The University at present has a population of more than 26, 000 students enrolled
in all its campuses and employs 1,013 faculty and staff.

It likewise offers 17 courses in advance higher education, 24 courses in higher

education, and other non-degree programs.

Having been recently recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as one

of the country’s best in terms of program compliance is but a fitting testament of the
University’s ‘par excellence’ educational standards. As an institution of higher learning, it
is the utmost desire of the University to provide the best and highest quality of education
to the students.
At present, all undergraduate Academic Programs of the University have
Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC). The Accrediting Agency of Chartered
Colleges and Universities in the Philippines, or AACCUP, has also granted NEUST with
various levels of accreditation status, signifying that its academic programs are ‘above and
beyond’ the yardstick of higher education in the country.
Students, as the receiving end of NEUST’s academic offerings, have sparkled
vibrantly in their respective turfs. These are positively shown in the increasing number of
enrollees, the various awards in local and international competitions, the number of
topnotchers produced, and the high percentage of passers performing above the national
passing rate in different licensure examinations. All of which can vouch for the

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University’s extraordinary performance showcasing the radiant brand of learning, that is,
NEUST education.
Behind those achievements are the high performing faculty and staff of NEUST,
demonstrating virtuosity in a variety of citadels. Their notable commitment and
outstanding ingenuity keep on shining through the assistance of the University to achieve
a panoramic view of its academic programs.
Prominent among these is the internationalization initiatives of NEUST that puts
premium on partnership building, student and faculty mobility, research collaboration and
publication, interdisciplinary training, and international community engagement, among
others.
As a result, these initiatives have been recognized for its commendable
performance in championing the global reputation of Philippine Higher Education, even
during the pandemic.
The numerous recognitions of the University’s achievements are great propellers
of NEUST community to keep on accelerating. Those feathers on the University’s cap
exemplify its noble and humble share to the country and the world.
With humility and pride, here are some of the NEUST’s humble but noble local and
international awards and recognitions, to wit:
a. Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022, ISO 9001:2015 Re-certification,
recipient of CHED’s Edukalidad Parangal Sa Kahusayan for Certificate of Program
Compliance (2nd out of 114 SUCs) and 2020 Freedom of Information (FOI) Awardee.
Ranked 21st among the 289 Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines in 2021
Webometrics Rankings;
b. Top 1 SUC in Region III during the 2021 CHED Region 3 Gawad Padyak
Parangal;
c. Top 1 Performing SUC with the Highest Number of Level III Accredited
Programs (22 programs) and Top 3 Performing SUC with the Highest Number of Level I
Accredited Programs (13 programs) in the Philippines in 2020;
d. Recipient of 1st Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award (2021);
e. Ranked 1st in the “PADYAK sa EXTENSION and PRODUCTIVITY BEST
PRACTICES and 2nd in the PAEPI-3 NETIZEN AWARD (2021);
f. Ranked 3rd in the 2021 Central Luzon University Ranking by the 4ICU
organization (2021);
g. BEST SHARED SERVICE FACILITY IN THE PROVINCE and one of the best
SSF in the Region;
h. The BLAZE as Most Commendable Online Student Publication by the Philippine
Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services in Region III;
i. Ranked Number 44 on the 4ICU Survey of 2020 Philippine University Ranking;
j. Certificate of Recognition- Rank 2 Criminology School in Region 3 (Above 100
examinees category), February 17, 2020;
k. NEUST- CON Ranked 49 out of 115 among best nursing schools in the
Philippines for 2019 based on the survey by localpulse.net;
l. NEUST as part of SEAMEO Schools’ Network

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 m. NEUST as Outstanding IPs Partner
Indeed, NEUST as a paragon of Higher Education Institution, has truly orchestrated
its symphony of supremacy and this University will continue echoing the sweet melody of
EXCELLENCE.

THE CHALLENGES AS A SPECIALIZED UNIVERSITY

IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The University remained committed and did not lose faith in its efforts to make a
difference in instruction, research, extension, and production programs, and maintain high
standards of governance. Yet, as information technology advances at an ever-growing pace
which has significantly transformed the ways in which teaching and learning takes place,
the NEUST has found it increasingly important to create and maintain a more responsive
and inclusive educational landscape, a platform for providing more innovative instruction
that will prepare and encourage students to remain responsive and competitive to the
demands of the twenty-first century.

NEUST as specialized university in science and technology is required to offer

courses which are related with its specialty in science and technology. The said requirement
limits the University to offer courses which are more responsive to the recent developments
in the province, the country, and overseas.

With limited courses being offered, students have to pursue their education either
in Metro Manila or in private universities in the Region. They may likewise end in pursuing
a course which may not be in accordance with their dream. As such the maximum potential
of students in the province will not be achieved.

The University has just submitted itself to QS Stars rating evaluation, an

international rating institution that evaluates universities worldwide. Due to course
limitations, the University did not qualify on subject ranking indicator, which may have
increased its university profile worldwide.

With the foregoing challenges, every member of NEUST family will never stop
dreaming of becoming one of the prime universities not only in the region but in the
country. Becoming a comprehensive university as Nueva Ecija State University will open
all the doors and opportunities, wherein the people of Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces
will benefit.

THE CONTINUING QUEST FOR HIGHER HEIGHTS AS A

COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITY

The physical change impacted by technological advancement and the fast

progressive thinking and imagination of this generation whose awareness has become more
dynamic, have truly inspired the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
(NEUST) to provide more meaningful lifelong learning experiences and opportunities to
its students.

The proposed conversion of NEUST into a comprehensive university aims to

provide competence and skills not only in science and technology but to offer new
programs and develop other professionals needed in the country and by the global labor
market. The University also desires to nurture the hearts and minds of students to enable

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them to seek for solutions to the challenges posed by environmental degradation and
promote the formation of a sustainable society.

Moreover, this proposal seeks to harmonize the creative abilities of the youth in the
arts with the technical knowledge through science and technology. This will further allow
the University to become more responsive and relevant to the diverse needs of the
community, the province.

The availability of vast information thru the web has influenced the youth with
various beliefs and practices, thereby exposing them to the challenges of the world. The
University shall provide access to students with a wider range of skills and talents both
based on academic and non-academic learnings and experiences. Thus, once converted into
a comprehensive university, NEUST shall offer a wide range of disciplines that will ensure
that graduates shall become well-rounded individuals not only in their chosen fields of
study but even beyond.

Despite significant progress in the history of the University, its continuing quest
towards excellence will never end. “Excellence,” as Lawrence Miller puts it, “is not an
accomplishment. It is a spirit, a never-ending process.”

Therefore, the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology will never cease
to take on the challenge of going beyond the boundaries and set the bar of excellence.
NEUST will continue to be at its finest to put itself at a vantage point of the educational
horizon.

Viewed from the foregoing, the NEUST family is respectfully seeking for the kind
understanding and support of the Honorable Members of the House of Representatives for
the approval of the proposed bill for its conversion to a Comprehensive University, as
Nueva Ecija State University.

Respectfully submitted.

Cabanatuan City, February 14, 2023.

FELICIANA P. JACOBA, Ed. D.

University President

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