THE EARLY and dominant image of Tarlac State University (TSU) among the people of Tarlac was its being a trade school, and its origin as such could be traced to as early as 1906, when the director of public instruction mandated the offering of intermediate grades and selected areas in the country to cater to industrial and vocational courses.
In 1909, under the auspices of the provincial government and the Provincial High School, this school began with secondary students in its fold. By 1921, it had evolved into a full secondary school.
In 1931, the trade school was annexed to Tarlac High School during the principalship of Russel Taylor – a status it maintained until the onset and the end of World War II. It has been 114 years since the founding of Tarlac State University (TSU) in 1906 and more than 30 years when it was conferred university status through Republic Act No. 6764 signed into law by then President Corazon C. Aquino on October 13, 1989.
The conversion was made possible through the sponsorship of Tarlac’s three congressional district congressmen namely, Jose Cojuangco Jr., Jose Yap and Hermie Aquino. Over the decades, the vision of TSU has always been to become a premiere state university in the Asia-Pacific region.
TSU is one of the most admired and respected public universities in the country and abroad. With its wide array of course programs and research studies, TSU has achieved many academic milestones and has partnered with various prestigious universities all over the world.
However, despite its current exalted status there is a need to revise the charter of the university to adapt to the future and prepare its students towards achieving higher excellence and global development.
House Bill No. 7797 authored by former governor and now congressman, Rep. Victor Yap of the 2nd district of Tarlac, seeks to amend RA 6764 also known as “Tarlac State University Charter” and update its provisions to make the university globally competitive and future proof.
TSU is a science and technology state university with different campuses within the province of Tarlac. It is mandated to provide quality and advanced instruction as well as undertake research, public/extension services and production activities towards national and global development. It shall offer curricular programs in science and technology, education, business, humanities, law, medicine, and allied medical professions, sports and human kinetics and other programs both in the undergraduate and graduate that the Board of Regents may approve as deemed necessary.
The university witnesses the transformation of the Tarlac province into a fast developing and growing economic site of the country and thus recognizes the significant roles of the local government units and the need to support and strengthen local chief executives’ leadership and management skills that will further improve the delivery of human and social services in the province and in Central Luzon.
Hence, the university shall offer post graduate programs on public administration, public works, human services, social work and executive programs that are responsive to the needs of the business industry, public servants and leaders and would be leaders (such as executive programs/ladderized programs for leaders, public servants, business managers/officers, etc.) A laboratory school (early childhood, primary, junior, and a senior high school and special education) shall be established under the College of Teacher Education for the enhancement of its curricular programs.
The 1,121 strong faculty and staff-TSU is a level III and first IMS certified SUC. The main campus in Tarlac City houses the College of Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Accountancy, Engineering and Technology, Public Administration and Governance, and Law.
It has a separate campus in Villa Lucinda located three kilometers away from the main campus which offers Criminal Justice Education, Teacher Education, and Science. This campus was donated by the family of Serafin David in 1973 and named after the family matriarch Lucinda David.
While the San Isidro campus which is a kilometer away from the main campus offers Computer Studies, and Architecture and Fine Arts. TSU is leading in mechanical engineering, criminology and master electrician with a total of 16,000 student population.
It is also the first SUC to have an advanced manufacturing training hub all over the country.