Visayas State University’s (VSU) President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes delivered her second State of the University Address (SOUA) during the 2025 Academic Convocation attended by the VSU community on August 20 at the VSU Gymnatorium.
In her opening remarks, President Yepes highlighted the university’s continuing strong commitment to research and extension in response to the needs of the people, uplifting both livelihoods and communities.
She underscored the university’s updated Vision while reminding the VSU community, through its Mission, to serve the people and be guided by the values of STRIDES (Service, Truth, Resilience, Integrity, Discipline, Excellence, and Social Justice).
Marking the start of the academic year, she also welcomed the increase in freshman enrollment across VSU’s five campuses, with a total of 16,720 new students, while stressing the importance of carefully managing the university’s carrying capacity to maintain quality learning, ensure adequate facilities, and provide meaningful student support.
Noting a total of 2,835 undergraduate graduates for the academic year 2024–2025, she affirmed VSU’s commitment to strengthening employability for its graduates, especially given the national concern raised by CHED on the high disparity between the number of graduates and those landing jobs.
Accomplishments and Recognitions
Visayas State University (VSU) has achieved significant milestones as it was recognized by CHED as a top-ranked university in the region and achieved a 100% Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) rate for all its academic programs. The university also boasts 92 accredited programs, with 29 at the prestigious Level IV.
Beyond its academic achievements, VSU received several prestigious awards. The Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP), led by VSU, earned the Second Runner-Up spot in the Ugnay Award. The university also received the Gold Award from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the inaugural EQUATE Award from CHED for its teacher education programs.
Licensure and Board Examination Success
President Yepes acknowledged the university’s success in licensure and board examinations, including achievements from the Calendar Year 2024 board exams with a 75.52% overall passing rate for first-time takers, the October 2024 Geodetic Engineers’ Examination, the March 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers, the February 2025 Criminologists’ Board Exam, and the August 2025 Food Technologists’ Licensure Exam.
She also emphasized that the university is committed to improving the performance of board programs that haven't met their goals. To achieve this, VSU is strengthening mentorship, enhancing review support, and refining interventions to ensure every student has the chance to succeed.
Establishment of the College of Medicine
According to President Yepes, necessary documents have been submitted to CHED for VSU to be allowed to soon offer the Doctor of Medicine program, which is currently under initial evaluation at CHED Regional Office 8 and is anticipated for Academic Year 2026–2027. Partnership agreements were also signed with several hospitals. The Visayas Medical Hospital of Cebu will serve as the base hospital of the VSU College of Medicine, while hospitals in Baybay and Ormoc City will serve as community-based training sites for students.
Research, Extension, and Innovation
President Yepes announced that VSU surpassed its goal of 100 studies, with 123 research and development projects currently being monitored. The university also developed 70 technologies and secured or filed for over 180 intellectual property rights, significantly boosting its innovation profile.
Breakthrough Research and Journals
President Yepes highlighted key research from VSU scientists, including Mae Ann Bravo's team, which identified a sweet potato cultivar that absorbs less lead. Other studies she mentioned, published in international journals, covered topics from HIV prevention and nursing student resilience to breakthroughs in biochemistry and horticultural practices.
Partnership among Different Universities outside the Country
VSU continues to strengthen its international linkages, renewing 12 Memoranda of Understanding with institutions in Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Singapore, Poland, Malaysia, Japan, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and India, emphasizing that these partnerships open doors to shared training, collaborative research, co-authored publications, and extended academic opportunities for the Viscan community.
Accessible and Improved Student Services
President Yepes remarked on the life of students in VSU, whereas a total of 70 accredited organizations are active, giving students the chance to pursue their passions and develop leadership skills across different fields in the university.
According to her, the student life at VSU continues to thrive because of dynamic programs and diverse organizations that enhance both academic and personal growth, and holistic university life. She also added that in order to support mental health, VSU rolled out training on Psychological Aid for newly designated Department-Based Guidance Facilitators.
Enhancement of Infrastructure and Facilities of VSU
President Yepes revealed major infrastructure enhancements for the university, including a P100 million Digital Learning Space and an P80 million female dormitory. The university is also upgrading existing facilities and preparing for future developments, prioritizing solarization projects to boost sustainability.
Additionally, VSU is updating its affirmative action plans and will inventory technology assets to strengthen intellectual property protection.
Concluding her address, she encouraged the VSU community to hold tightly to the values of VSU that set apart, and carry these not as ideals written on a page, but as compass points in how to teach, learn, do research, and serve. She also stressed the part where the community should move forward together under the rallying cry: VSU STRIDES for excellence and impact.