ISU for Sustainability

Embracing SDGs towards Quality Education and Academic Experience in the Countryside

2025 Reports | SDG 4 – Quality Education

Isabela State University (ISU), a Level IV State University and College (SUC) in the Philippines, is committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by promoting inclusive, equitable, and accessible quality education for all. Guided by its commitment to serving diverse communities, the University provides educational opportunities to students regardless of their socioeconomic status, geographic location, gender, or cultural background. Through its multi-campus system, ISU extends higher education services to communities across the province and helps broaden access to academic and professional development opportunities.

To address barriers to higher education, ISU implements scholarship programs, financial assistance, and flexible learning initiatives that support students from disadvantaged and underserved backgrounds. The University also offers diverse academic programs designed to develop relevant knowledge, practical skills, innovation, and competencies responsive to changing societal and workforce needs. Its commitment to quality education extends beyond classroom instruction through research, extension services, technology-enabled learning, and programs that promote lifelong learning and sustainable development.

ISU further supports holistic student development through guidance and counseling, career services, mentorship, and other student support programs that nurture personal growth, leadership, and social responsibility. By integrating accessible education, quality instruction, student welfare, research, and community engagement, the University contributes to developing competent and future-ready graduates. These efforts reinforce ISU’s role in advancing inclusive and equitable education and supporting the achievement of SDG 4 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

PROPORTION OF GRADUATES WITH TEACHING QUALIFICATION

In 2025, Isabela State University (ISU) recorded a total of 7,136 graduates across its academic programs. Of this number, 1,069 graduates obtained qualifications that entitle them to teach at the primary school level, representing approximately 14.98% of the University’s total graduate population. These qualifications are primarily earned through the University’s teacher education programs, which prepare graduates for professional practice in the education sector and eligibility to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), subject to applicable requirements.

This graduate output highlights ISU’s contribution to developing qualified educators who can support foundational learning and strengthen the country’s teaching workforce. Through its teacher education programs, the University prepares future teachers with the knowledge, pedagogical competencies, and professional skills needed to contribute to quality education.

LIFELONG LEARNING MEASURES

Providing Access to Public Resources (Lifelong Learning) for those Not Studying at the University

Isabela State University (ISU) provides free access to educational resources for individuals who are not enrolled in the University, extending its learning facilities and scholarly materials to the wider community. The University Library at the Echague Campus is open to the public from Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Community members, independent researchers, and students from other educational institutions may use its collections, which include academic books, reference materials, and digital resources. The campus also provides free access to its green open space and mini-museum for local visitors, offering additional opportunities for learning and cultural engagement.

Beyond its physical facilities, ISU expands public access to knowledge through the ISU Linker e-Journals, which provide free online access to the University’s scholarly publications without requiring enrollment or subscription fees. The University’s three peer-reviewed journals are registered with Crossref, facilitating the discovery, citation, and tracking of published research. They are also indexed in Google Scholar, Asian Science Citation Index (ASCI), EuroPub, and Index Copernicus International, further enhancing the visibility and accessibility of ISU’s research outputs to a wider readership.

Through these physical and digital resources, ISU makes educational materials and research outputs accessible to students, alumni, researchers, and members of the public. These initiatives promote independent learning, knowledge sharing, and continuing education beyond the formal academic setting. By opening its library facilities, learning spaces, and scholarly publications to non-enrolled individuals, the University demonstrates its commitment to public access to educational resources and lifelong learning in support of SDG 4.

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Open Access to Public Events (Lifelong Learning) for the General Public

Isabela State University (ISU), through its College of Engineering and with the support of ISU H.E.L.P.S., hosted the P.A.C.E. UP+: Power and Cool 5-in-1 Workshop on September 11–12, 2026, at ISU–Cabagan Campus, Cabagan, Isabela. The event served as a public educational and skills-development activity, providing individuals beyond the University’s enrolled student population with opportunities to participate in lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on learning sessions.

The workshop was open to engineering students, out-of-school youth, community members, business owners, entrepreneurs, technicians, professionals, and other interested individuals. It covered five areas: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); solar energy; CCTV security systems; Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM); and business strategies. Through expert-led discussions and practical activities, participants gained opportunities to acquire technical knowledge, develop practical skills, and enhance their competencies in these fields.

By hosting an educational event that welcomes the general public, ISU extends its learning environment beyond formal academic instruction and provides accessible opportunities for continuing education and skills development. This initiative demonstrates the University’s commitment to organizing public lectures, community educational activities, and practical training that promote lifelong learning and help participants strengthen their employment, career, and livelihood prospects.

Open Access to Vocational Training Events (Lifelong Learning) for the General Public

Isabela State University (ISU), through its Extension and Training Services Program and Electrical Engineering Department, hosts Project EE-BEST in BWI (Enhanced and Expanded Barangay Electrician Seminar and Training in Building Wiring Installation), a continuing vocational training program open to barangay electricians and other interested community members who are not enrolled students of the University. The program provides accessible, practical technical education through short-term training sessions conducted at the University, extending its educational services beyond formal degree programs.

Batch 11 was launched on August 5, 2025, at the New CEAT Audio-Visual Room of ISU–Ilagan Campus, in partnership with Gigawatt Review Center, ISELCO II, and the IIEE Isabela-Quirino Chapter. The training equips participants with practical knowledge and skills in building wiring installation, with emphasis on proper electrical procedures and safety practices. By providing hands-on vocational instruction, the program helps participants strengthen their technical competencies and improve their capacity to undertake electrical installation work in their respective communities.

Now on its 11th cycle since 2014, Project EE-BEST in BWI demonstrates ISU’s sustained commitment to offering continuing vocational education to the general public. Its recognition as Third Best Paper at the 2024 PAEPI International Extension Conference further highlights the value of the University’s extension initiative. Through this recurring program, ISU makes its facilities, technical expertise, and training opportunities available to non-enrolled individuals, supporting lifelong learning, skills development, local employability, and community development.

Similarly, ISU’s Criminology program extended its expertise to local communities through the second run of Res-CUE: Rescuers on the Go!, held on September 29–30, 2025, at the Community Center in Payac, Jones, Isabela. The two-day Capability, Utilization, and Empowerment Training engaged barangay officials, tanods, and barangay health workers in practical emergency-response training to strengthen their preparedness and ability to respond to community emergencies. Building on its initial implementation in 2024, the program demonstrates the University’s continuing commitment to equipping local frontliners with essential knowledge and skills to help protect lives.

Through these initiatives, ISU undertakes educational outreach beyond its campuses by delivering tailored training, lectures, and hands-on demonstrations in local schools and communities. By making its academic expertise and training resources accessible to non-students, the University promotes lifelong learning, strengthens community capacities, and extends the benefits of higher education to the wider public.

Lifelong Learning Access Policy

The continuous provisions of the student manuals provide a comprehensive guide for students and stakeholders to understand the institution’s rules, academic requirements, processes and procedures, academic policies, student affairs and services, as well as general information about the university.

Found on page 47 of the ISU Student Manual, its main purpose is to ensure that all students—regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, or immigration status—are well-informed, responsible, and prepared to navigate both the academic and non-academic aspects of student life.

To read more about the ISU Student Manual, click here: https://isu.edu.ph/isu-student-manual/

PROPORTION OF FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

In 2025, Isabela State University (ISU) recorded a total enrollment of 44,763 students, including 11,832 students starting a degree. Of these new degree-seeking students, 5,045 were first-generation students, representing approximately 42.6% of all students beginning their degree programs.

This figure highlights the University’s contribution to expanding access to higher education, particularly for individuals whose parents or guardians have not previously attained a university degree. By providing opportunities for first-generation students, ISU helps promote educational equity, broaden participation in tertiary education, and support social mobility across communities.