Benguet State University is nestled in La Trinidad, Benguet, the strawberry capital of the Philippines. BSU offers complete, adequate, and integrated system education relevant to the national government's goals and, in particular, to develop scientific, technological, vocational, and other professional courses. BSU also provides training, technical assistance/consultancy, research in education, social and technical areas, productivity and quality, knowledge management, and sustainable human development.
The University is committed to attaining the Center of Excellence and Center of Development status from the Commission on Higher Education for its degree programs. At present, the University is CHED SUC Level IV and attained Level III in most of its academic degree programs under the AACCUP (Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and the University of the Philippines) accreditation system. BSU's main campus is situated in the municipality of La Trinidad, about 256 km. North of Manila and 5 km. from Baguio City.
The BSU-Buguias Campus is located in the municipality of Buguias, where the vegetable terraces abound. In contrast, the BSU-Bokod Campus is located in the municipality of Bokod near the foot of Mt. Pulag, the second-highest mountain in the Philippines. The University offers seven doctorate programs, 32 master programs, 19 undergraduate programs, and several diplomae and unique short courses.
Research and extension have always been considered the Benguet State University's inherent functions even when it operated only as a farm school in the 1920s. Back then, students were inculcated with the love of scientific inquiry and ingrained with the commitment to serve their communities well, not only excellent examples of what a successful farmer should be but also by persisting in carrying out genuine agricultural development in the countryside. Presently, the OVPRE supervises the Office of the Research Services' activities, the Office of Extension Services, and the different Research Centers/Institutes. The OVPRE coordinates with the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC), which is based at BSU.
BSU recognizes that the main reason for any institution's existence is for the benefit of the clienteles it is mandated to serve. Therefore, the true essence of the institution's performance depends on how efficiently it delivers its services. Adhering to RA 9485 or The Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) and being inspired by a "student-first" policy, BSU crafted its Citizen's Charter to guide its clientele on how to avail of the services offered. The charter also guides the employees in the efficient delivery of front line services.
The University shall provide graduate and undergraduate courses in the arts, sciences, humanities, and professional fields in agriculture, natural sciences, technology, and other technical and professional courses as the Board of Regents may determine and deem proper. It shall also promote research, extension, agribusiness, advanced studies, and progressive leadership in its field of specialization. There shall be organized relevant research centers in the University to develop technologies on sub-tropical agriculture and natural resources, which will backstop and enhance the Cordillera area's growth and development and other highland areas.
It started as the La Trinidad Farm School with 30 grade V pupils in 1916. The Farm School expanded its services and heightened its prominence in La Trinidad. According to earlier reports, the Farm School was "planned to develop into a large normal school where the best Igorot pupils will be trained to be teachers among their people with an emphasis on agriculture." In 1920, the farm school was elevated as the Trinidad Agricultural School, with 188 students enrolled in first-year high school. Re-opening after the war in 1946, the school became the La Trinidad Agricultural High School. Four years later, a regular provincial curriculum was abolished in 1953, and a two-year post-high school certificate in agricultural education was offered.
The school was renamed La Trinidad National Agricultural School (LTNAS). After four months, it was nationalized and named the Mountain National Agricultural School. (MNAS). It was soon converted into the Mountain National College (MNAC) Mountain Agricultural College (MAC) and, eventually, the Mountain State Agricultural College (MSAC) in 1969 through RA 5923. On January 12, 1986, the college was converted to a state university by Presidential Decree (PD) No. 2010 signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. At present, BSU is awarded SUC Level IV, the highest category in the SUC leveling classification of State Universities and Colleges by the Commission on Higher Education.
The administration of the University shall be vested in the president of the University who shall render full-time service. The president shall be assisted by vice-presidents who shall be appointed by the Board of Regents upon the former's recommendation. There shall be an administrative council consisting of the president of the University as Chairman, the vice president(s), deans, directors, and other officials of equal rank as members, and whose function is to review and recommend to the Board of Regents policies governing the administration, management, and development planning of the University for appropriate action. The academic council shall have the power to review and recommend the curricular offerings and rules of discipline of the University subject to the Board of Regents' appropriate action. It shall fix the requirements for students' admission and graduation and the conferment of degrees subject to review and approval by the Board of Regents through the University's president.
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