 |
| (Image Source: Facebook/Batangas State University, The National Engineering University) |
Batangas State University, The National Engineering University, announces the reappointment of Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo as University President for a new four-year term from 2026 to 2030, following the completion of his previous term from 2022 to 2026. The University community extends its warmest congratulations to President Ronquillo who marked a historic first as the inaugural President to lead Batangas State University as the Philippines’ National Engineering University and now embarks on a renewed mandate to sustain and scale its impact. His leadership carries both institutional and personal significance, being the youngest and the first engineering alumnus to serve in the role since assuming office in 2014. His reappointment signals continuity in strategic direction — anchored on a leadership agenda focused on propelling transformation and accelerating reforms across higher education, innovation, and national development.
Driving National Impact Through Engineering Leadership
Under President Ronquillo’s leadership, the University underwent a period of accelerated and measurable institutional transformation, guided by its mandate under Republic Act No. 11694 as the country’s National Engineering University. Over the past four years, Batangas State University strengthened its role not only as an academic institution but as a national driver of engineering excellence, innovation, and industry development. Central to this was the expansion of its leadership beyond campus boundaries through the National Engineering Education Development (NEED) Program which supported 206 engineering deans, program chairs, and quality assurance leaders from 95 institutions across all 18 regions, ultimately impacting more than 185,000 students nationwide.
Re-Engineering Education For Emerging Industries
The University’s academic transformation was marked by the launch of 10 emerging undergraduate and 16 graduate programs in high-growth fields such as artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, and data science. These programs produced their first graduates in 2025, including licensure examination topnotchers that contributed to the University’s recognition as a top-performing school. Complementing this was the rollout of the country’s first University-Industry Microcredentials, co-developed and co-delivered with industry partners, which has already delivered 22 courses across multiple cohorts while creating pathways between short-term upskilling and formal degree programs.
Pioneering Industry-Embedded Learning
To further align education with industry needs, the University advanced its Industry-Based Learning model through the BatStateU Aboitiz LIMA Campus, a 10-hectare industry-embedded environment surrounded by more than 185 companies. This approach redefined the learning experience by positioning the industry as a co-educator and co-developer, enabling students to engage directly in real-world problem-solving and innovation even before graduation.
Strengthening Student Success And Institutional Quality
These academic and structural reforms translated into concrete gains in student success and institutional quality. Strategic investments amounting to ₱1.36B (1.36 billion pesos) supported the completion of 72 infrastructure projects with an additional ₱1.5B (1.5 billion pesos) allocated for ongoing developments, significantly enhancing learning environments across campuses. These efforts contributed to producing 9,792 licensed professionals, alongside a marked increase in licensure examination performance — from a 71.71% passing rate in 2022 to 87.33% in 2025 — while producing 74 topnotchers and championing multiple national and international student competitions. Enrollment likewise expanded to 64,189 students with graduates increasing by 113 percent, reflecting improved retention and completion rates.
Translating Research Into Real-World Impact
Beyond teaching and learning, President Ronquillo’s administration strengthened the University’s research and innovation ecosystem, ensuring that knowledge generation translates into real-world impact. The development of the KIST Park, supported by over ₱690M (690 million pesos) in investments, established a fully integrated innovation environment for technology commercialization, startup incubation, and industry collaboration, earning national recognition for outstanding innovation partnerships. Complementing this is the STEER Hub, which has secured ₱60M (60 million pesos) in external funding, incubated 83 startups, developed 76 commercializable products, and trained tens of thousands in technopreneurship — demonstrating the University’s capacity to convert research into enterprise and economic value. Across the broader research ecosystem, outputs expanded significantly with 513 publications, 67 completed research projects, more than 3,200 intellectual property filings, and 440 technology transfers recorded from 2022 to 2025. These efforts were matched by an extensive extension program that established 779 community partnerships, trained nearly 67,000 individuals, and reached close to 100,000 beneficiaries — ensuring that engineering expertise directly contributes to inclusive growth, disaster resilience, and sustainable development.
Enabling Digital Transformation And Sustainable Systems
Digital transformation also emerged as a defining feature of the administration. Through over ₱230M (230 million pesos) in investments, the University established the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Smart Technologies and built a digital infrastructure ecosystem across campuses that enhanced connectivity, learning systems, and institutional efficiency while delivering sustainability gains, including saving more than 11 million sheets of paper annually — equivalent to over 1,300 trees and more than ₱5M (5 million pesos) in cost reductions.
Expanding Global Reach And Recognition
At the global level, Batangas State University significantly expanded its international footprint, recording a 350 percent increase in partnerships and a 160 percent rise in research collaborations, alongside substantial growth in student and faculty mobility. These efforts culminated in its inclusion in the QS Asia Rankings, QS Stars Rating System, and World University Rankings for Innovation, as well as improved standing in global benchmarks such as the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings and UI GreenMetric, affirming its emergence as a globally competitive institution.
Sustaining Growth Through Strategic Investment
This period of growth was underpinned by strong financial stewardship with revenues reaching ₱1.2B (1.2 billion pesos) in 2025 and strategic investments totaling ₱14.40B (14.40 billion pesos) across key development pillars. Long-term projections further indicate sustained economic returns, positioning the University not only as an academic institution but as a viable engine for national development and innovation.
Advancing The Next Phase Of Transformation
Building on these gains, the University now enters a new phase of development under President Ronquillo’s leadership — one that continues to propel transformation and accelerate reforms while scaling institutional impact in response to evolving national and global demands. The next four years will focus on advancing artificial intelligence-driven education and governance, expanding industry-aligned and globally competitive programs, accelerating research commercialization, strengthening international partnerships, and broadening access through flexible and technology-enabled learning platforms.
President Ronquillo’s reappointment reflects a renewed mandate to sustain momentum, deepen reforms, and lead with strategic clarity grounded on good governance and innovation excellence. As Batangas State University moves forward, it does so with a strengthened foundation and a clear direction — to not only educate and innovate, but to actively shape the country’s engineering future and contribute meaningfully to national and global progress.
