Nueva Vizcaya State University: A Legacy Through Time, Leadership, and Global Frontiers

The Nueva Vizcaya State University is the result of the merger of the Nueva Vizcaya State Institute of Technology (NVSIT) and the Nueva Vizcaya State Polytechnic College (NVSPC). The two schools were the two biggest state-run colleges in the province of Nueva Vizcaya. The NVSIT has a total area of 148.5 hectares situated at the foot of the scenic Bangan Hill in Bayombong, the capital town of the province. The NVSPC on the other hand, has an area of 14.21 hectares in Bambang.

The NVSIT started as a farm settlement school in 1916 offering only intermediate curriculum. Two years after, a secondary curriculum was added to its former program, later renaming the school as the Bayombong Rural School, then as the Nueva Vizcaya Rural High School (NVRHS) in 1930.

However, school operations in the country were suddenly stopped because of the war with the Japanese forces in 1941. After the war, NVRHS resumed its operation in 1945 but it was split into two entities: the NVRHS (now the NVSU) and the other as the Nueva Vizcaya High School (now the Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School).

During the post-war years, businesses started to boom in Bambang which paved the way for an educational institution to cater to the growing population of the municipality. As a result, the Municipality Council of Bambang passed a resolution on July 11, 1946 for the establishment of a Junior High School in the southern part of the province. With the intensified campaigns of raising funds for the proposed school, the amount of Php 19,720.00 was accumulated. Through this initial fund, the JHS was constructed. In the same month, the Southern Nueva Vizcaya Junior High School (SNVJHS) formally started its operation. A year later, it was renamed as the Bambang High School (BHS).

Both NVRHS and BHS had undergone remarkable transformations geared toward betterment, responsive to a dynamic civilization. Development in terms of physical facilities, manpower and system of education were given top considerations. With the strong support of political leaders of the province led by then Congressman Leonardo Perez, the upgrading of the different sectors of each respective district especially the educational component was realized. The NVRHS was converted into Nueva Vizcaya National Agricultural School (NVNAS) in 1956, made possible by virtue of Republic Act 1580 sponsored by Cong. Perez. In 1964, another conversion took place when the NVNAS was changed into Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural College (NVAC) through the legislation of R.A 4055, also authored by Cong. Perez. He likewise sponsored R.A 1971 converting the BHS into the Nueva Vizcaya School of Arts and Trades (NVSAT) on June 22, 1957.

The NVAC marker is a historical emblem built at the left wing of the façade leading to the Administration building of the Bayombong campus. The unveiling of the NVAC marker was held on June 18, 1965 with then Hon. Senator Leonardo Perez. Eventually on May 22, 1973, NVAC was converted to NVSIT by virtue of Presidential Decree 196. With the increasing clamor for more degree courses, NVSIT responded and provided expansions of its course offerings. Initially, the courses offered were basically agriculture and related fields.

Similarly, the NVSAT in Bambang was converted into NVSPC in June 1983 by force of Batas Pambansa Blg. 495 authored by Hon. Perez and Hon. Carlos Padilla.

Both NVSIT and NVSPC have distinct areas of excellence catering quality education to Novo Vizcayanos, those coming from neighboring provinces and other parts of the country. It was then reckoned that the merging of the two campuses would strengthen the pursuit for quality education. The goal of becoming a single institution with a university status was made possible through the collaborative efforts of all officials of both campuses and the imposing support from the political heads of the province.

A Technical Working Group (TWG) was organized to conduct a feasibility study on the merging of the two campuses and this was initiated by then Hon. Cong. Padilla. The key officials of both campuses made up the TWG and had their initial meeting on July 13, 2001. The establishment of NVSU was steered by the constitutional mandate as stated in Sec. 2 paragraph 1 of Article XIV and in Batas Pambansa Blg, 2232 (Education Act of 1982) that “the state shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and of society.”

The passing of House Bill No. 2232 (An Act Constituting the Merging of the Two Campuses into NVSU) authored by Hon. Padilla was a big leap in the history of both campuses. Eventually, the painstaking bid for university status was over when R.A 9272 lapsed into law on March 20, 2004.

Finally, after the two-year search for NVSU President, Dr. Marilou Gilo- Abon was pronounced by the Board of Regents as the first University President on May 31, 2005. Dr. Abon was the former Vice President for Academic Affairs and concurrently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the Central Luzon State University. With her leadership, she yearned not only for NVSU to aim for a culture of excellence but also to advocate a culture of peace which should be the supreme advocacy of a country that is in political turmoil. Indeed, academic institution plays a vital role in the molding of citizens of this nation; thus, NVSU stands steadfast with its advocacy.

After four years of fruitful administration, Dr. Abon was re-appointed by the members of the Board of Regents for a second term. However, the flourishing university was in mourning with the untimely demise of Dr. Abon on April 23, 2010. The gargantuan task left by the Abon leadership was taken over by Dr. Romeo S. Quilang, President of the Isabela State University, as officer in-charge (OIC) through BOR Resolution No. 68 s. 2010 which took effect on April 26, 2010. Nevertheless, due to the need for a full time executive of the university, Dr. Leodevico M. Fronda was appointed by the BOR as OIC in place of Dr. Quilang by virtue of BOR Res. No. 25 s.2011 effective September 26, 2011. The term of Dr. Fronda ended on April 1, 2012 when the University Board of Regents through a search committee headed by Dr. Saturnino M. Ocampo, a former CHED Commissioner finally affirmed Dr. Florentina S. Dumlao as NVSU President. Dr. Dumlao assumed office on April 2, 2012 by virtue of BOR Res. No. 26, s. 2012.

Under Dr. Dumlao's leadership, the development of the NVSU Five-Year Development Plan/Investment Plan (2012-2017) was prioritized to establish a clear direction for the university, building on the achievements of previous administrations. This new leadership aimed to align all university components effectively to achieve NVSU's ultimate vision, mission, and goals.

The third President of the university, Dr. Andres Z. Taguiam, assumed office following the retirement of Dr. Dumlao. Dr. Taguiam's leadership began on October 17, 2015, through Board Resolution No. 10-09-135, series of 2015. Known for his strong personality, Dr. Taguiam significantly advanced the university's standing. Under his tenure, numerous physical facilities and infrastructure projects were realized, largely due to his proactive efforts in lobbying for financial support at both regional and national levels. Additionally, he strengthened NVSU's partnerships with academic institutions in Thailand. Dr. Taguiam retired from government service on February 28, 2021, leading to the appointment of Hon. Ruth Raña Padilla by the Board of Regents and CHED as the OIC-President.

Under the stewardship of Hon. Ruth Raña Padilla, significant updates and improvements were made to university policies. Her leadership faced the formidable challenge of the pandemic, during which she successfully sustained university services through online portals and various flexible learning methods. Her tenure, from March 1, 2021, to September 7, 2022, as mandated by Board Resolution No. 85, series of 2021, saw NVSU advancing in academic excellence, research, extension activities, and accountable management. Despite her brief term, Hon. Padilla effectively prepared NVSU for its next President.

On September 8, 2022, through Board Resolution No. 78, series of 2022, Dr. Wilfredo A. Dumale Jr. was appointed as the university's 4th President, marking a historic first as he rose from within the ranks of NVSU officials. During the Public Forum, Dr. Dumale outlined his eight developmental goals, setting a bold new direction for the university. His vision includes producing globally competitive graduates, fostering R&D community engagement, advancing technology commercialization, promoting internationalization, and enhancing administrative efficiency. His leadership is now paving the way for NVSU to build a good reputation in the global world.

As NVSU's history unfolds through diverse leaderships, dedicated staff, generations of students, and a tapestry of accolades, the university is poised to soar to new heights across borders.