About SorSU

The Sorsogon State University (SorSU), then Sorsogon Provincial Trade School was established in 1907 as an elementary school which trained students with aptitude in the trades for immediate employment. Situated in a two-hectare campus, a portion of which is part of the present SorSU Sorsogon City Campus, the school initially offered woodworking as the only trade course for intermediate pupils. In the School Year 1926-1927, the school began offering a secondary course and eventually phased out the elementary program. Then in 1950, it opened its doors to women for courses on food trades, cosmetology, or dressmaking for specialization.

By virtue of Republic Act No. 704, dated May 14, 1952, it was renamed Sorsogon School of Arts and Trades (SSAT). The shop course offerings were expanded to include architectural drafting, building construction, electricity, and furniture and cabinet making. Two years later, the two-year technical course with specialization in the same trades as those for the secondary course was introduced. Soon machine shop practice, radio mechanics, automotive mechanics, and refrigeration and air conditioning were added as major courses.

On April 17, 1977, the Secretary of Education and Culture approved the school’s conversion into a tertiary institution as Sorsogon College of Arts and Trades (SCAT). With its new status, it began to offer Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. These courses promptly attracted enrollees, some of whom were graduates of the two-year technical course who, after having been out of school for a time, were given an opportunity to earn degrees. The first few batches of graduates easily found employment in the locality as well as in Metro Manila and abroad.

As early as the mid-1970s during the term of Rep. Rafael C. Aquino, plans for the conversion of the school into a state college were brought about. Assemblyman Augusto G. Ortiz showed interest in pursuing a conversion move at the Batasang Pambansa, but there was a moratorium on creation of state colleges and universities.

From the late 1970s through the early 1990s, SCAT, as an institution under the Bureau of Vocational Education, had strong support from the national government and some international organizations. Under the Technical-Vocational Education Project (TVEP), many faculty members were recipients of scholarships in both the vocational and academic fields. As one of the ten PATVEP schools in the country, SCAT obtained special funding for the offering of Diploma in Technology. Many faculty members were sent to Australia for one-year training in technical fields under the Philippine Australia Technical-Vocational Education Program (PATVEP). Moreover, the school was a recipient of a number of machines and equipment for mechanical technology, automotive technology, civil technology and electrical technology from the Australian government. Some faculty members were also given the opportunity to study abroad through the Colombo Plan.

It was in the early 1990s when the conversion plans were seriously considered and pursued primarily through the efforts of Rep. Salvador H. Escudero III. While working for the passage of House Bill No. 4210, the congressman in coordination with the SCAT Officer-In-Charge, Dr. Bonifacio H. Ativo, initiated school-based activities in preparation for the transition. After the passage of the bill by the House, Sen. Leticia Ramos Shahani pushed for its passage in the Senate.

The Sorsogon State College was established by virtue of Republic Act No. 7666 approved on December 30, 1993, through the efforts of the late Congressman Salvador H. Escudero III. The College was operationalized through a province-wide umbrella system, where four vocational schools were integrated. The Sorsogon College of Arts and Trades (SCAT) became the School of Industrial Technology and Education (SITE) to concentrate on Teacher Education and Technology. The Sorsogon National Agriculture School (SNAS) became the School of Agriculture and Agriculture Based Technology (SAABT), to concentrate on Agriculture and Agriculture Based Technology. Bulan Vocational High School was renamed School of Arts and Trades (SAT) and became Institute of Management and Information Technology (IMIT) to concentrate on Business Management and Information Communication Technology (ICT), and Magallanes School of Fisheries became School of Fisheries and Fisheries Based Technology (SFFBT) to concentrate on Fishery Technology and Fisheries Resource Development. The main campus is located at Magsaysay Street, Sorsogon City. Later, the campuses were renamed into Sorsogon State College Sorsogon City Campus, Bulan Campus, Castilla Campus, and Magallanes Campus.

Dr. Augusto R. Nieves became the first president of the college and served for two terms. He instituted reforms in the academic and institutional policies, which contributed to the development of the college and to its prestige as a reputable institution in the province and in the region. He was succeeded by Dr. Antonio E. Fuentes who had two terms from 2005. During his term, he looked into the enhancement of the faculty development program, curriculum development, and program accreditation. Dr. Fuentes was succeeded by Dr. Modesto D. Detera who pushed for new course offerings, improved faculty development program, and quality instruction, which led to the increase of the number of board examination topnotchers and board exam passers. Likewise, research done by the college contributed much to the tourism and trade industry of the province. Following Dr. Detera is Dr. Helen R. Lara, the first lady President of Sorsogon State College, recognized for her efforts in the certification of Sorsogon State College into a University. Dr. Lara was credited for the turnover of the administration and operation of the Sorsogon Community College, and the full transfer of the College of Engineering to Baribag Extension Campus.

On October 11, 2018, House Bill No. 6203 sponsored by Representatives: Hon. Evelina G. Escudero, Hon. Deogracias B. Ramos Jr., and Hon. Anthony Bravo, was enacted into law through Republic Act No. 11088, approving the conversion of Sorsogon State College into Sorsogon State University. It became a full-fledged University upon compliance with Section 19 of said Act and upon official university declaration ceremony of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) last May 8, 2021.

Further, on July 22, 2022, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus became the first University President announced during the 110th Sorsogon State University Board of Regents Meeting. She is at the helm of the University who advocated for a shift in the overall character of the institution as a “Pamantasang May Puso” (“University with a Heart”), strengthening the chain that binds all personnel to collaborate, cooperate, and build on capacities to strengthen, sustain, expand, and develop students, programs & projects, processes, and provide support for excellent instruction, student support services, aggressive research development & extension, internationalization initiatives and engage in viable production activities for the development of the province and beyond.