The Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) is poised to receive nine prestigious recognitions at the 4th CHED Regional Quality Awards on May 29, 2025, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, Lopez Jaena Street, Jaro, Iloilo City.
The announcement, relayed to the university on May 21 by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEDRO VI), celebrates ISUFST’s growing impact in the field of higher education across Western Visayas and beyond.
The recognitions are part of CHED’s 31st Anniversary and the 5th Higher Education Day celebration—an occasion that not only commemorates milestones in Philippine tertiary education but also honors the institutions that champion academic innovation, inclusive learning, and community-driven progress.
For ISUFST, the awards reflect more than compliance; they embody its transformation into a dynamic, service-oriented academic community.
ISUFST will be recognized for the following:
· Outstanding Board Performance Award (Category #5: 30 or more examinees with at least 80% passing rate), for achieving an 80% passing rate in the October 2024 Licensure Examination for Fisheries Professionals
· 100% Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) for both Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
· Award for Excellence in Community Extension and Linkages
· Award for Excellence in Internationalization Initiatives
· Award for Excellence in Peace Education
· Award for Excellence in Indigenous Peoples Education
· Award for Excellence in Students’ Affairs and Services
· Recognition for Provision of Support to CHEDRO VI Endeavors
· Model Implementer: STUFAP/CSP (ISUFST Dingle Campus)
Among these, the Outstanding Board Performance Award and the 100% COPC recognition speak volumes about the university’s academic rigor and adherence to national quality standards.
Meanwhile, the rest of the awards spotlight ISUFST’s broader vision—to build communities, empower students, and extend meaningful change beyond the classroom walls.
“These recognitions are more than awards; they are affirmations of the culture of excellence, compassion, and commitment that we at ISUFST strive to uphold every day,” said ISUFST President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr.
He added: “From the classroom to the coastline, from policy to practice, this is the result of every faculty member who went beyond the call of duty, every staff who kept the system running, every student who dared to dream big, and every partner who trusted us to deliver.We take these recognitions as a reminder of our responsibility—not to rest, but to rise further. Not for prestige, but for the people and communities we serve. We dedicate these awards to our learners, our frontliners in education, and the future we are shaping together.”
For Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Joan Belga, the awards are more than just institutional milestones—they are a reflection of the heart and harmony that drive ISUFST forward:
“We’re not just proud—we’re deeply moved. These recognitions don’t just showcase what we’ve accomplished; they mirror who we are as a university family. At ISUFST, we live by values that go beyond metrics—quality that uplifts, inclusivity that embraces, and impact that transforms. This achievement is the product of everyone working in rhythm—faculty, staff, students, and partners—each contributing with dedication and hope. These awards remind us to stay grounded in purpose and to keep listening, evolving, and serving with sincerity,” she said.
Echoing this message of grounded commitment, Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Johnny B. Dolor added: “Behind these honors are real people doing honest work every day—balancing budgets, running offices, mentoring students. This reminds us that every task, no matter how small, contributes to something bigger. That’s what makes this recognition meaningful.”
These latest accolades add to the momentum ISUFST has been building over recent years. In 2024, the university earned five similar distinctions at the 3rd CHED Regional Quality Awards, namely, SUC with 100% Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) for Undergraduate Programs, Model Implementer: Scholarships for Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP), Certificate of Recognition for the institution’s support of CHEDRO VI, Award for Excellence in Indigenous Peoples (IP) Education, and Award for Excellence in Internationalization Initiatives. That same year also marked ISUFST’s first year of transition to university status—an achievement that capped decades of consistent growth.
Founded in 1957 and now spanning five campuses, ISUFST remains the country’s first and only fisheries university. It has been recognized as a Center of Development in Fisheries for eight consecutive years, maintains an ISO 9001:2015 certification, and holds long-standing AACCUP accreditation. Today, its 8,500 students and 280-strong faculty—half of whom hold doctorate degrees—serve as the backbone of its institutional strength and academic integrity. Herman Lagon/PAMMCO
