In a vibrant celebration of creativity and heritage, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) marked its 120th founding anniversary with the successful staging of Sine Tanglaw- a Short Film Festival produced by the Public Information and Communications Office (PICO).

Held at the university Multi-purpose Educational Center, on September 10, 2025, the film festival captivated audiences and showcased the artistic brilliance of its students. Sine Tanglaw featured a curated lineup of short films that explored themes ranging from social issues and gender identity to personal triumphs.

Now on its third season, twelve entries met the qualification criteria and subsequently underwent preliminary evaluation through an online judging process. These entries were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, each a respected authority in their field: Ms. Shey Velasquez – accomplished producer and instructor in film and advertising; Mr. MoshMagbanua – multimedia specialist, filmmaker, and photographer; and Dr. Ricky Abaleňa – esteemed writer and professor of Communication and Public Administration at WVSU.

The spotlight shone brightly on the winners of the minor awards, celebrating excellence in cinematic artistry and performance. Here’s a look at the standout honorees:

Minor Awards Winners

• Best in Cinematography: All the Places We Go
• Best in Film Editing: All the Places We Go
• Best in Script Writing: All the Places We Go
• Best in Musical Scoring: All the Places We Go
• People’s Choice: Kaangtanan sang Handurawan

 Major Individual Honors

• Best Director: Charles Joser Gargaritano
• Best Actor: John Rosewell Duhina
• Best Actress: Izza Kate Tacdoro

Best in Film Poster

• Kaangtanan sang Handurawan
• Sa Lente ni Kalachuchi
• All the Places We Go

Best Short Film Category

• First Place: All the Places We Go by Arki 5A Production (Iloilo City Campus)
• Second Place: Mitsa by Sigrab Production (Miagao Campus)
• Third Place: Philip by Bakbak Production (Barotac Nuevo Campus)

All the winners of the minor awards received a certificate and cash prize while top 3 best films received a trophy and cash prize.

The event drew enthusiastic participation from different campuses with students from engineering, education, and information technology collaborating on film productions. Notably, the festival provided a platform for young storytellers to express their perspectives through visual narratives, blending technical skill with emotional depth. Sine Tanglaw underscored the university’s commitment to holistic education—where science and technology meet the arts and humanities.

As ISAT U steps into its next chapter, the success of Sine Tanglaw stands as a powerful reminder of the university’s enduring legacy and its vision for a future shaped by innovation, culture, and community.

In a strategic move to enhance institutional transparency and effectiveness of the communication system, the Public Information and Communications Office (PICO) of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) recently conducted a comprehensive communications audit across all its four campuses and colleges.

This communications audit which started from August 26, 2025, until September 4, 2025, marked a significant step in a meaningful dialogue and systematic evaluation of the various communications needs, branding initiatives, marketing strategies, processes, and personnel. Also, this audit helped identify opportunities for improvement, develop collaborative solutions and strengthen partnerships between central communication services and local operations.

Through focus group discussions, participants were encouraged to share their experiences, concerns, and suggestions regarding the university’s communication systems. During the discussions, representatives from all colleges and campuses unanimously agreed to submit their respective pool of experts to serve as reference sources for future media interviews. This collaborative move aims to strengthen ISAT U’s public engagement and ensure that subject matter specialists are readily accessible for credible and insightful commentary.

As part of the university’s branding and marketing efforts, the participants also pledged to contribute entries to PICO’s flagship initiative—PICO Tutorials—a program designed to showcase academic expertise and promote institutional excellence through informative content.

In addition, the dialogue opened space for participants to voice their concerns regarding social media governance. Issues surrounding content management, accountability, and digital conduct were raised, highlighting the need for clearer policies and capacity-building to ensure responsible and strategic use of online platforms.

PICO Director Dr. Heinz B. Gumaquil, alongside Information Officers Rommel Griffith Habaradas and Jephthah Sustituido, unveiled a new digital innovation—PICO Link. Developed by the Public Information and Communications Office, PICO Link is designed to streamline the online posting of activities and events across ISAT U’s various offices and campuses. This tool empowers departments to share updates and media content efficiently, even in the absence of PICO personnel, ensuring timely and consistent communication throughout the university’s digital platforms. Beyond streamlining online postings, PICO Link will also function as a centralized digital archive for official photos and issuances. This feature ensures that essential documentation is systematically stored and easily retrievable—especially during institutional accreditations and audits. By providing quick access to verified materials, PICO Link reinforces ISAT U’s commitment to transparency, organization, and operational efficiency.

With these collective efforts and innovations, ISAT U continues to build a more connected, responsive, and future-ready academic community. The communications audit not only highlighted areas for improvement but also ignited a shared vision for a stronger, more unified approach to institutional communication.

Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr., University President of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U), was privileged to be the only SUC President in the country to be invited as a topic presenter at the prestigious 2025 East and Southeast Asia UNESCO-UNEVOC Network Consolidation Workshop held in Seoul, South Korea. The workshop participated by UNESCO-UNEVOC member centers in East and Southeast Asia as well as other regions was conducted from September 3 to September 4, 2025.

During the workshop, current issues and policy agendas related to digitalization and green skills in TVET were discussed. Dr. Salistre had his time to speak about his topic on the first day. His presentation focused on empowering women in green and tech leadership roles through transformative TVET strategies. He emphasized that TVET programs positioned women not just as participants but as agents of change in their communities and industries. In his talk, Dr. Salistre did not forget to encourage the participants that as stakeholders, educators, and policymakers, they have to commit to embedding gender equity into every layer of TVET systems and to cultivate a new generation of women leaders who will shape the future of green and tech industries.

The workshop also included sessions on Advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) through equity and capacity building; driving green transformation and digital innovation in TVET through inclusive leadership; and shaping the future of TVET: effective policies, strategies, and best practices. The participants were also provided the unique opportunity for a field visit to observe operations firsthand. Dr. Russ Allen B. Napud, Vice President for Administration and Finance, also joined Dr. Salistre in the said event.

The UNESCO-UNEVOC Network Consolidation Workshop aims to establish and strengthen the network among its member centers in East and Southeast Asia as well as other regions including the Philippines.

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) has been awarded a 3-Star rating by Quacquelli Symonds (QS) Stars for the second consecutive term, the university announced this week.

The rating, issued in August 2025, follows ISAT U’s initial 3-Star designation in 2023. The QS Stars rating system evaluates universities across multiple performance indicators against international standards, with a 3-Star rating indicating that an institution is “well-recognized internationally.”

“This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and innovation,” said ISAT U President Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre Jr. “Our 3-Star QS rating validates the hard work and dedication of our entire university community – our faculty, staff, students, and alumni who continue to embody our institutional vision of  “A leading science and technology university in Southeast Asia by 2030”. This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue pushing the boundaries of science, technology, and innovation in higher education.”

The QS Stars system assesses universities through rigorous data collection and analysis across areas including teaching, research, employability, internationalization, and facilities. According to QS, the rating “illuminates the unique strengths and diversity of the rated institution” by evaluating a broader scope of criteria than traditional rankings.

ISAT U also recently won recognition in three categories of the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). The current QS Stars rating is valid for three years and positions the university among internationally recognized higher education institutions in the world.

The Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) once again proved its excellence as it clinched the championship title in the National Civil Engineering Student Quiz (NCESQ) – Regional Elimination for Region VI, held on August 23 at the DPWH Regional Office VI, Old Conference Room, Parola, Iloilo City. Representing ISAT U, Vicel Mates of BSCE 4A emerged as the champion among 15 of the region’s top-performing civil engineering students from institutions including Central Philippine University (CPU), Western Institute of Technology (WIT), Philippine University of Iloilo (PUI), and St. Anthony’s College.

This victory marks a back-to-back triumph for ISAT U, following the championship of Adrian Agundo in 2024. Alongside Mates, the university was represented by Victor Ysmael Quitayen (BSCE 4A) and Jerry Escordial (BSCE 4B), with the guidance of coaches Engr. Antonio Catubac Jr. and Engr. Aldane Ray Belarga. The team showcased exceptional knowledge, problem-solving skills, and academic grit, once again cementing ISAT U’s strong reputation in civil engineering excellence.

With this remarkable win, ISAT U will move forward to represent Region VI in the national finals of the NCESQ. The achievement not only brings pride to the university but also highlights the consistent strength of its civil engineering program. Faculty, students, and the ISAT U community extended their warm congratulations and full support as the team gears up to compete at the national stage, carrying the banner of Western Visayas.

In a dynamic blend of reflection and environmental advocacy, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs spearheaded its Midyear Evaluation alongside a tree-planting initiative last July 30-31, 2025, and August 1, 2025. This dual event held at Concepcion, Iloilo, and Barangay Malangabang, aimed to assess academic progress and reinforce the institution’s commitment to its advocacy of planting 120, 000 trees in celebration of its 120^th Founding Anniversary.

Together in a shared effort to nurture both learning and the land, all the Academic Affairs Units under the leadership of Dr. Corazon C. Corbal, assessed their performance halfway through the year. One by one, the College Deans and Directors presented their targets and accomplishments during the first day session at Concepcion Plaza Hotel. Dr. Sammy Daitao of the Planning and Development Auxiliary Services (PDAS), Ms. Lucille Jaspe, Information Officer 3 and Ms. Jovette Aimee Arceta, Information Officer 2, both from the Public Information and Communications Office (PICO), served as resource persons. Dr. Daitao talked about accomplishment monitoring and the 5-year Financial Plan from 2025-2029. He also gave updates on different infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, PICO Information officers, Ms. Jaspe and Ms. Arceta, discussed the core functions of the office to bunk the misconceptions of their role in the university. They also discussed the importance of Information Dissemination, Crisis Communication as well as its Dos and Don’ts. They also campaigned for support from the different Colleges and Campuses on the ongoing programs of PICO which boost the University branding.

The next day, July 31, marked an exciting opportunity for the team to give back to nature as they came together for a meaningful tree planting activity in Barangay. Malangabang, Concepcion, Iloilo. 500 Miyapi seedlings were planted across an area of approximately 600 square meters along the Malangabang Creek. The different Academic Affairs Units in partnership with the Municipality of Concepcion’s MENRO (Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office), headed by Ms. Michelle Dequiňa, were joined by volunteers from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Barangay Officials of Barangay Malangabang and its SK Officials. This initiative is historical since it is the first tree planting activity ever conducted in the said barangay. For them it is more than just an environmental gesture — it’s a powerful symbol of collective growth, sustainability, shared responsibility and the beginning of a greener future.

After the tree planting activity, the team proceeded to Princess Apphia Inland Resort in Ajuy, Iloilo, for the team building activity where creativity took center stage. The participants were given the chance to imagine, express and experiment on their ideas. This activity helped them forge deeper connections and unlock new ways to collaborate. The three-day activity concluded with the distribution of certificates and photo opportunities.

Three Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) faculty members showcased their research at the 4th International Conference on Governance and Development (ICGD4) in Bangkok, joining over 300 delegates from across the world for the four-day academic summit.

The conference, which run from July 30 to August 3, brought together researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners under the theme “Governance for Impact: Championing Global Citizenship and Empowering Communities.” The University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Public Affairs and Thailand’s Kasetsart University co-sponsored the event.

Dr. Heinz B. Gumaquil, Dr. Olive Joy G. Abing, and Dr. Carmen Cruzata delivered research presentations representing ISAT U’s College of Arts and Sciences and College of Education. Three additional faculty members—Dr. Ana Maria Denosta, Dr. Iryn B. Delos Santos, and Hilda Darroca—participated as conference attendees.

The academic program opened with specialized pre-conference workshops on development entrepreneurship, futures thinking for community empowerment, and microcredential development for lifelong learning.

Philippine Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Millicent Cruz-Paredes delivered the keynote address, outlining what she termed the “three pillars of leadership”: vision to move beyond the status quo, courage to take decisive action, and compassion in serving others.

She emphasized that these elements are not just ideals, they are practical necessities for anyone seeking to create meaningful change in their communities.

Kasetsart University Acting President Dr. Damrong Sripraram welcomed delegates during the opening ceremony, emphasizing the importance of cross-border academic collaboration in addressing regional governance challenges.

The conference featured panel discussions on sustainable development, governance innovations and leadership, and community-led development initiatives across continents. ISAT U’s participation reflects the university’s growing engagement in international academic networks focused on governance and development studies

Promoting the value of international partnership, cultural exchange and meaningful collaborations, the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) hosted the first ever International Week on July 7-11, 2025. Participants to this activity are International Higher Education Institutions coming from Indonesia, Cambodia, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Likewise, there are participants from the national Higher Education Institutions namely Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Aklan State University, Caraga State University, Pangasinan State University, John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University and Northern Iloilo State University.

At the opening activity, they were given a sneak peek of our culture as they were welcomed with a  Dinagyang  performance of Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School. Afterwhich, a visual presentation of the different participating universities took place at the Students Services Building. Each of them was given the chance to showcase their university profile and was followed by a short orientation of the common Tagalog and Hiligaynon words.  Different presentations for international collaborations were also given by the Office of the Research Services Division, Extension, Gender and Development and University Library.

Another highlight of the day’s activity was the international networking night and cultural show which was prepared for the participants at the National Museum-Western Visayas. Aside from the performances, they also had the firsthand information about the museum. Before the showcasing of the Philippine folkdances, there was a signing of agreement between ISAT U and the different HEIs as a commitment to the partnership and collaboration of the universities in its effort for academic exchange and cultural appreciation.

The International Week celebration also included Southern Iloilo Cultural Tour, Iloilo City Tour and the Education Fair which was held in Boracay. Local and national HEIs booths were put up for exploration and collaboration opportunities. Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, Officer-In-Charge, Executive Director, Director IV, International Affairs Services, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), was the guest speaker for the Educational Fair Program.

At the 91^st Commencement Exercises of the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISATU), on June 11, 2025, Dr. Raul F. Muyong, Director IV, of the Office of Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance of the Commission on Higher Education, challenged its graduates on their preparedness for the workplace.  Dr. Muyong, who was the commencement speaker, is also an alumnus and holds the distinction of being the last College President of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) and the first university president of ISATU.

In his speech, he enumerated the core skills essential and expected to be possessed by the future workforce and asked them if they possess these attributes, be able to land a job and help their parents and siblings. According to him, having been asked these questions, ISAT U graduates must be able to answer yes because he believes that Class 2025 is fortunate and privileged to be products of ISAT U. The university has equipped them with the quality education and competencies that could be the best weapon to face the battle in this highly competitive world. The university, whose students are nurtured to thrive and become innovators and leaders, has been recognized for its global standards and reputation. “The knowledge, skills, and proper values that ISAT U has instilled in you will make you future-ready and help you secure jobs and overcome the global challenges that await you.” He added that their education at ISAT U must serve as their foundation and instrument in pursuing life goals, which is to excel wherever they are and in whatever they do. Dr. Muyong also advised that excellence is not about being the best, but about doing once best. It is important, according to him to have a sense of direction such as having a dream and deciding on what to become after graduation. As a visionary leader, he reminded them to work hard, be honest and be an effective agent of change.

Class 2025 started their college education in the Academic Year 2021-2022 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. They have undergone a rigorous academic journey and experienced the tremendous challenges brought about by the pandemic, and the climate change thus making them adaptable to the hybrid form of education, the combination of Virtual Learning Education and the Face to Face Learning.