Kicking off a momentous milestone with flair and unity, Iloilo Science and Technology University launched its 120th founding anniversary celebration on September 7, 2025, Day Zero, with a vibrant motorcade, a clean-up drive, and a soul-stirring ecumenical service. A dazzling Project Runway which was showcased at SM City, Iloilo, set the tone for a week of pride, tradition, and innovation.

The celebration was then officially opened on Monday, September  8, 2025, with this year’s theme, “ Celebrating a tradition of growth, innovation, and sustainability.” marking over a century of excellence, resilience, and service to the community.

Despite the rain, the celebration commenced with a foot parade and street dance participated by the different colleges as well as its external campuses (Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Leon, Miagao). The foot parade started from the New Site, going to the Old Site of the campus with each team showcasing their skills in dancing during the street dance presentation. The opening program drew students, faculty, and alumni to gather and honor the institution’s rich legacy and look forward to a vibrant future.

This year’s guest speaker, Engr. Wulbert Woo, Public Sector Representative and member of the ISAT U Board of Regents,  emphasized the significance of ISAT U graduates in the society. According to him today’s society demands exactly what ISAT U provides. He believes that ISAT U graduates are skilled, innovative, and ready for the challenges of the real world.

The first day of the celebration was loaded with activities including the Professional Lecture prepared for the faculty and staff. Dr. Neda June D. Salazar, a registered Guidance Councilor and President of the Central Philippine Adventist College discussed “Emotional Strength in Challenging Times: Thriving with Resilience and Growth.”

As the festivities continue throughout the week, the community is invited to participate in a series of events including academic quiz, research and extension symposiums, skills competition, literary musical contest, short film festival, alumni reunions, blood donation activity, the legacy run, and many others. Food kiosks and exhibit booths are strategically positioned around the university premises. Highlighting this celebration is the search for Mr. and Ms. ISAT U 2025 which is set on September 12, 2025.

With 120 years behind ISAT U, the university carries forward not just the celebration, but a renewed commitment to excellence, innovation, and service—honoring the past, embracing the present, and shaping the future with innovation, pride, and purpose.

ISAT University recognized the teams behind its three Top 100 placements in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) during an awarding ceremony held at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel.

The recognition ceremony took place during the Pre-Opening Conference for Faculty for the First Semester of Academic Year 2025-2026, highlighting the university’s commitment to innovation and excellence across multiple domains.

ISAT U secured impressive rankings in three key categories:

Rank #35 in Funding for Sustainability was achieved under the leadership of project leaders Engr. Naci John Trance and Dr. Olive Joy Abing, demonstrating the university’s strong commitment to sustainable development initiatives.

Rank #59 in University Brand and Reputation was led by Dr. Heinz B. Gumaquil as project leader, supported by Information Officer 3 Lucille Jaspe and other information officers who contributed to enhancing the university’s visibility and standing.

Rank #73 in Entrepreneurial Spirit was spearheaded by Dr. Ma. Cora Biton as project leader, reflecting the institution’s dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among its academic community.

The World University Rankings for Innovation recognizes higher education institutions worldwide that demonstrate exceptional performance in driving innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. ISAT U’s triple achievement within the Top 100 rankings underscores its growing reputation as a leading institution in technological advancement and sustainable development.

The awarding ceremony served as an inspiring start to the academic year, celebrating the collaborative efforts of faculty, staff, and administrators who contributed to these outstanding achievements.

The recognition positions ISAT U among the world’s most innovative universities and reinforces its commitment to excellence in higher education.

University recognized for advancing Filipino service excellence through education and training

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) was proudly recognized as one of the distinguished academic institutions nationwide during the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Summit 2025, held on July 21, 2025, at The Bellevue Manila, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The Department of Tourism hosted the summit anchored on the theme “The Power of FBSE: Paving the Way for a Culture-Centered Nation,” bringing together key figures from the tourism industry, government agencies, and service excellence advocates nationwide.

It served as a vital platform to showcase best practices and celebrate the milestones of the FBSE movement in strengthening the Filipino identity through world-class service.

On behalf of the University President, Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre Jr., Dr. Jeanneth F. Darroca, Dean of the College of Industrial Technology (CIT), received the FBSE Academe Partner Award during the recognition and awards ceremony.

The award reflects ISAT U’s active role in advancing the FBSE program through meaningful academic collaboration, enterprise-level training, and community outreach.

This national recognition underscores the university’s strong commitment to instilling the core values of Filipino hospitality and service excellence in its students — preparing them not just as professionals, but as ambassadors of culture-centered, people-first service.

This recent recognition follows a series of notable achievement by the university.

Notably, ISAT University was also recognized as the Tourism Champion for Academic Empowerment during the PAGADAYAW 2024: Western Visayas Tourism Awards Night held on December 9, 2024, at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel in Iloilo City.

This recent honor further affirms the University’s unwavering dedication to strengthening tourism and service education not just in the region but globally.

As a leading higher education institution in Western Visayas, ISAT U continues to be a vital contributor in shaping future-ready graduates and in promoting the ideals of Filipino service across sectors.

Article by:
Ms. Tiffany Anne L. Tan