The history of the University dates back to 1982 when Bukidnon State University (BSU), then Bukidnon State College (BSC), opened its extension in Tandag City known as the Bukidnon External Studies Center (BESC). There were 153 pioneering students when the BESC opened its courses in AY1982-1983 with Jacinto P. Elpa High School serving as venue for the classes under the supervision of the late Rufina G. Luna who served as the first College Coordinator.
In 1992, after 10 years, the Surigaonuns witnessed the birth of Surigao del Sur Polytechnic College (SSPC) with the signing into law of Republic Act No. 7377 on April 10, 1992 by the late President Corazon C. Aquino. The creation of the Polytechnic College through RA 7377 amalgamated the BESC in Tandag City and four (4) other DECS-supervised schools in the municipalities of Cagwait, Tagbina, Lianga, and San Miguel (formerly Tago) into one university system.
In 1998, SSPC earned the status of being a state college by virtue of Republic Act 8628 promulgated in April 23, 1998. Dr. Antonio S. Ang served as the first President of Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College (SSPSC). This development also led to the integration of Surigao del Sur Institute of Technology (SSIT) in the Municipality of Cantilan under the umbrella of SSPSC, further spreading the newly-established State College’s influence and services into the northern part of the Province.
Dr. Ang’s stint as the President of SSPSC ended in 2001 upon his retirement from public service. This paved the way for the late Dr. Remegita C. Olvida’s appointment as the second President as approved by the SSPSC Board of Trustees in 2001. Dr. Olvida’s appointment as SSPSC President was renewed twice in 2003 and 2007. Her iron-clad perseverance for quality education and unwavering mission for the conversion of then State College into a state university was invigorating and inspiring.
In 2010, through the efforts of the academic community, faculty, staff and students including the external stakeholders, with the support of CHED, other regulating agencies and the congressional district of the Province, by virtue of Republic Act No. 9998, signed into law on February 22, 2010, SSPSC was converted to Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU). This changed in the status also extended the term of the late Dr. Olvida as Chief Executive Officer as she became the first University President of SDSSU now NEMSU.
In 2014, Dr. Baceledes R. Estal, a former campus director, Executive Dean, and Vice President of Research and Development, was appointed as University President by the Board of Regents of SDSSU. Dr. Estal served the University and its constituents for two (2) terms until his retirement from service in 2022.
In 2018, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) in Davao City also led to the gradual turnover of USEP’s former campus in Bislig City to SDSSU (now NEMSU), making SDSSU Bislig Campus the 7th, the farthest and southernmost campus of the University.
Many of the improvement and major changes in the physical facilities and façade, including the expansion of the University system to include the newly-integrated NEMSU-Bislig Campus, took place during the incumbency of Dr. Estal.
On July 30, 2021, Republic Act 11584 was signed into law, renaming Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) to North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU).
The university shall primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in trade, fishery, agriculture, science, education, commerce, engineering, forestry, nautical courses and other related fields. It shall also undertake research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specialization (RA 9998, Section 2).
A transformative leading University in Asia and the Pacific.
NEMSU shall provide competency-based higher education through transformative instruction, relevant research, sustainable extension and production responsive to local, regional and global trends.
A combination of observable and measurable knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal attributes that contribute to enhance the performance of NEMSU employees and ultimately result in organizational success.
Responsibility for own actions and decisions, and commitment to accomplish work in an ethical, efficient, cost-effective and transparent manner manifesting the value of sound stewardship in the use of resources for common good.
A prompt action and release of consistent quality communication that is focus on providing correct and complete action and/or information to clients and stakeholders.
The quality spectrum at exceptional levels demonstrated by learning outcomes and the development of shared culture of quality consistent with the vision, mission and goals of University.
Dedication for a continual improvement of services, stakeholder’s relationships, and partnership which stresses interdependence and collaboration for a sustainable success of clients and their communities in helping build a just, peaceful, stable and progressive Filipino nation.
These core values are not descriptions of the work we do, nor the strategies we employ to accomplish our University vision. They are the core values that underlie our works and interactions as we internalize responsibilities to fulfill our mission and vision. They are the basic elements of how we go about our work and how we deal with clients and stakeholders, how we mold students to become competent, innovative, globally competitive and service-oriented individuals.
To develop competitive, resilient and transformative academic community.
To produce high impact research and development for the advancement of knowledge and instructional innovation, institutional development and policy formulation, and commercialization.
To improve the lives of the rural and urban poor through transfer of technology and knowledge.
To develop and improve resource generation to sustain University operations.
To deliver transparent, responsive and excellent governance for client satisfaction.
Desription of the Seal The seal conveys an appropriate emblem that speaks the personality of the university whose concentration of instruction focuses on business and technical/vocational training of students. In further conveys sense of prominence being the one to personify the attributes of the school as the pioneering state University in the Province of Surigao del Sur.
Ring The seal depicts the big ring that reads: Surigao Del Sur State University or SDSSU. The ring insures the continuity of strong volunteer leadership of the University. The SDSSU comprises six campuses namely: Tandag, Lianga, Cagwait, San Miguel, Tagbina and Cantillan which provide different degree programs. The ring serves as a bridge between the University and the world, bringing experience and perceptions gained outside the University.
Shield The shield represents the University’s Educational purposes, its mission and vision. It is quartered into different courses offered by the University or SDSSU. The upper right shows the gear which indicates courses offered in Tandag such as Graduate Studies, Engineering, HRM, and Computer Science. The lower right shows an image of Leaf and Tree which represent Agriculture and Forestry in San Miguel Campus and Agri-Business and Commercial Sciences in Tagbina Campus and displays Fish and Water symbolizing Fisheries and Aquamarine courses offered in Lianga Campus. The upper left shows an image for applied Sciences and Medical courses. The left quadrant contains T-Square and Ruler that symbolizes Trades and Industrial Arts courses offered in Cantilan and Cagwait Campuses.
Color The seal is set in sky-blue (as the official logo color) which stands for faithful courage among SDSSU teaching forces, students, administration and staff.
Open Book The open book symbolizes knowledge offered by the University.
Torch and Laurel The torch is the guiding light in the SDSSU community. The Laurel proclaims jubilant victory over global challenges faced by the SDSSU graduates.
Lyrics
NEMSU Hymn
LYRICIST: Prof Evelyn T. Bagood
Music Composer: Mr. Castor V. Balacuit
Music Arranger: Mr. Carl Martin R. Engcoy
Onward with a noble mission
Unifying with a vision;
Glorious footprints of knowledge won
Breeding grounds of Glocal Champions
Emblem of Mindanaoan nobility
Radiates the name of a growing NEMSU;
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Flying flag above the pacific blue.
Refrain:
Live! Rise! Soar and Excel!
In the NEMSU education
Leading to a better world
By sculpting better lives,
The NEMSU vision, NEMSU touch
N.E.M.S.U
The laying portals of brilliant hatch
(Repeat Refrain)
Coda:
The NEMSU vision
NEMSU touch
NEMSU!