Sponsored by Congressman Rommel Rico T. Angara of the Lone District of Aurora, House Bill No. 5892, or the act converting the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) to a state university, passed the Committee Level at the House of Representatives, January 30.
The said bill aims to convert ASCOT and all its satellite campuses located in the municipalities of Maria Aurora, Casiguran, and San Luis into a State University to be known as the Aurora State University of Science and Technology (ASUST).
According to the initial deliberation with the Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE), the following are the operational requirements for a university:
- Level III accreditation or equivalent under CHED policies for at least four (4) of its undergraduate programs, one (1) in liberal arts and one (1) in the sciences, and two (2) of its graduate programs.
- The ratio of qualified full-time faculty with requisite degrees to the number of students.
- Adequate library and laboratories.
- Research and development output of the practical and commercial application to the community.
- Relevant linkages and outreach programs that are of service to the community.
- Relevant academic policies, systems, and processes.
The institution shall also retain its status before the effectivity of this act unless, in the meantime, it is able to comply with the requirements provided herein within five years from the approval of this act.
Present during the said event were: College President Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr., Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs, RB J. Gallego, Ph.D., Attorney Raquel Dujunco, CPA, Quality Assurance Management Office Director Annie Capin, Research Office Director Maria Cristina Cañada, Extension Office Director Rick Gonzales, and Executive Assistant, Ms. Mharjorie Vigilia.
Meanwhile, President Rotaquio also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Congressman Angara and his staff, Atty. Aila Reopta, Atty. Angelica Gumapac, and Zhirees Te, for their help drafting the House Bill.