History
The school started as the Camarines Sur Trade School (CSTS) in 1911. Pedro Hidalgo organized trade courses in the intermediate level, offering carpentry, drawing and trade arts. Classes were first held at the library hall of the Camarines Sur High School. In 1924, it started offering vocational courses in the secondary level under Doroteo Federis. In November 1925, the first permanent school building was constructed, the Gabaldon building on its school site donated by the provincial government. This building still exists and is considered as the school's historical landmark. Woodworking courses were also introduced during the term of Cornelio Casaclang, as principal. At the outbreak of World War II, the school principal was Romulo Y. Mendoza. In 1945, the school was reopened under Primitiva Obias as officer-in-charge until the reassignment of Cornelio Casaclang. Courses in auto mechanics, building construction, and furniture and cabinet making were offered. In 1948, during the administration of Oligario Lenon, girl's trades courses in dressmaking, cosmetology and food trades were offered and with it the construction of buildings and shops by virtue of House Bill no. 2919 (R.A. 825), sponsored by Congressman Emilio Tible, and approved on August 15, 1952, the school was nationalized and renamed Camarines Sur National School of Arts and Trades (CSNSAT). Manuel T. Espinosa became its first superintendent. In 1954, the two- year post- secondary trade- technical education was offered. Upon its conversion to a full-fledged college by virtue of R.A. No. 5056 sponsored by Cong. Ramon H. Felipe, Jr. on June 17, 1967, the CSNSAT was converted into a college and renamed as Bicol College of Arts and Trades (BCAT) and was authorized to offer courses like Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education (BSIE). This was during the term of Carlos Borjal, but before it formally assumed its name as BCAT, it was known as Camarines Sur National College of Arts and Trades (CSNCAT) until in the mid-1980s when it adapted its name BCAT. Tertiary level was expanded to cover other fields of trade- technical education, thus the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) was opened in 1977. Under the Technical– Vocational Education Project (TVEP), it was selected as one of the pilot Technician Education Institutes (TEI) for Region V, by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (MECS). The education component of the project was operationalized in school year 1984–1985, by the offering of the two- year Diploma in Industrial Technician (DIT) curriculum, with four major fields of specialization namely automotive, mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration and air conditioning technologies. In 1984, Dr. Pacita S. Yorobe temporarily headed the school. Five months later, on April 1, 1985, Superintendent Augusto R. Nieves took over the second alumnus to achieve such status. In 1988, by virtue of DECS Order no. 39, s. 1988, the Teacher-Education component was expanded through the offering of the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd), major in Technology and Home Economics (THE), Mathematics, English and Physics; and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BEEd) with the area of specialization in Home Economics and Livelihood Education (HELE). Under the administration of Honesto T. Aguilar, the fifth school superintendent, BCAT started its offering of Engineering courses namely: Electrical Engineering (BSEE) Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE), Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and Bachelor of Science in architecture (BSA). The institution had first Engineering and Architecture graduates in March 2001 and had steadily produced board passers and top-notchers. BCAT continued its bid for excellence in technology and teacher education under Pedro F. Moreno, the sixth superintendent of the college. It remained undefeated during the annual Skills Olympic among TECHVOC schools in the Region. Its students maintained its dominance in the FFP-FAHP contests for high school students. In December 2000, pursuant to Republic Act 8760, on the integration of CHED Supervised Institution (CSI's) to State Universities and College (SUC's), the Bicol College of Arts and Trades was integrated to theAdministration
Administrative council
Academics
Graduate school programs
*Master of Engineering (major in Electronics Engineering) *Master of Arts in Teaching major in Technology and Livelihood Education with specialization in Home Economics *Master of Arts in Education (Major in English Language Teaching, Mathematics, Science) *Doctor of Education in Science Education *Doctor of Education in Language Education *Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics EducationUndergraduate programs
College of Engineering and Architecture
*Bachelor of Science in Architecture *Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering *Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering *Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering *Bachelor of Science in Civil EngineeringCollege of Education
*Bachelor of Elementary Education *Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics *Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science *Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English *Bachelor in Technology and Livelihood Education (major in Home Economics) *Bachelor in Technical-Vocational Teacher EducationCollege of Trades and Technology
*BS in Industrial Education major in Automotive *BS in Industrial Education major in Drafting Technology *BS in Industrial Education major in Electrical Technology *BS in Industrial Education major in Food Technology *BS in Industrial Education major in Garment Technology *BS in Industrial Education major in Industrial Arts *BS in Industrial Education major in Mechanical TechnologyCollege of Arts and Science
*Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing major in Digital Animation *Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences *Bachelor of Science in Food Technology *Bachelor of Science in EntrepreneurshipAbolished programs
*Secondary Trade School Curriculum (Laboratory High School) *Cadet Corps Preparatory Military Training (CCPMT)Student life
Recreation and wellness
BISCAST runs various recreation and wellness programs. These programs, like the annual intramural activities, are made with the aim of developing the total well-being of its members, catering to their other skills/abilities and offer an avenue for its members to socially interact with each other while improving their physique and/or just enjoying their interests. The institution is home for different sports clubs which cater to the varied interests of the students, faculty and staff. They can also participate in the dance fitness program called Zumba. Facilities such as the student pavilion are also always open to cater for these purposes.Career services
Students can seek consultation on their career choices and plans to help them align it in their interests and goals.Cadet Corps National Service Training Program (CCNSTP)
This is the organization of students who undergo National Service Training Program under Reserve Officer Training Corps component as optional and voluntary pursuant to Republic Act No. 9163 or the NSTP Act of 2001. The training and administration of the Cadet Corps is administered by 502nd (CAS) Community Defense Center, 5th Regional Community Defense Group, Army Reserve Command of Philippine Army. Graduates of Basic ROTC program will be enlisted to the reserve force of the Philippine Army pursuant to Republic Act No. 7077 while students who choose deferment from military training and opted to take the two other components of NSTP Program will be registered to National Service Reserve Corps.References
External links
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