Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology
 | |
Former names | Philippine Institute of Fisheries Technology |
|---|---|
| Type | Public, State College |
| Established | 1956 |
| President | Dr. Milavel D. Nazario |
| Location |
Brgy. Rio Hondo, Zamboanga City, Philippines 6°54′01″N 122°05′00″E / 6.9003°N 122.0833°ECoordinates: 6°54′01″N 122°05′00″E / 6.9003°N 122.0833°E |
| Hymn | ZSCMST hymn |
| Colors | White |
| Website | Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology |
Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST) is a state college in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It is the only school in Western Mindanao that offered a courses related to marine and sea studies. It is in the heart of the city, alongside of Fort Pilar Shrine, Zamboanga City.
History
The college was established in 1956 as the Southern Mindanao branch of the Philippine Institute of Fisheries Technology (PIFT), the predecessor of the U.P. in the Visayas - College of Fisheries.
In 1965, the SMSF became the first fishery school under the Department of Education to attain college status by virtue of R.A. No. 3434 and was renamed Mindanao Regional School of Fisheries (MRSF).
In 1980, the MRSF was included as one of the eight project institutes of the Sixth Education Project of the Philippine government that were developed into Regional Institutes of Fisheries Technology (RIFTs) through a US$38 million loan package from the World Bank.
In 1986, the college was granted its charter and the mandate to develop and implement courses in fisheries, maritime technology, marine sciences, development management, food technology and computer science with the issuance of P.D. No. 2020 converting the then MRSF-RIFT into the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST).
Recent years
From 1995 to 2003 the ZSCMST served as the center/lead agency of the Southern Mindanao Aquatic Resources Research and Development Zonal Network. As such, it assisted the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development in managing and monitoring the aquatic resources research and development programs and projects of the networks 10 member institutions.
As a state college, it has its share of accomplishments which showcase the dedication of its people and its commitment, as an institution, to quality and excellence. The ZSCMST was a candidate Center of Excellence in Agriculture and Fisheries Education since 1997 until its identification as a Center of Excellence in Fisheries in 2000. It was identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as a Center of Development in Marine Biology in June 1998.
Along with the University of the Philippines in the Visayas and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, the ZSCMST was chosen by the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research as a lead agency for the National Research and Development Network for Capture Fisheries. It has served as a nodal institution for fisheries and marine biodiversity of the Mindanao Advanced Education Project of the CHED.