15/06/2026
𝐂𝐍𝐒𝐂 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞
A historic milestone now unfolds for higher education in the Province of Camarines Norte as Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) officially advances toward its new identity as the University of Camarines Norte, pursuant to Republic Act No. 11399 and following the favorable decision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) En Banc, as per CEB Resolution no. 309-2026 dated May 25, 2026 to be confirmed by the UCN Board of Regents on a special board meeting called for the purpose.
The transition marks the realization of a long-standing aspiration of the institution, its stakeholders, alumni, faculty members, students, local government partners, and the people of Camarines Norte for a stronger, more responsive, and globally competitive state university.
Republic Act No. 11399, enacted on August 22, 2019 institutionalized the conversion of CNSC into a university and laid the legal foundation for this transformative development. Following the comprehensive evaluation process conducted by CHED, the institution successfully demonstrated its compliance with the requirements and standards necessary for university status in all key areas, as required by law.
Leading this new chapter is the appointment of Atty. Ryan L. Estevez, DPA, as the First University President of the University of Camarines Norte closing the chapter in the life of CNSC as the 7th and last College President. Under his leadership, the institution will continue to strengthen academic excellence, research productivity, extension services, internationalization initiatives, and digital transformation programs aligned with provincial, regional, national and global educational standards.
“𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑎 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒. 𝐼𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑝𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒, 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑢𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠. 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟, 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑁𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝐵𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑛." President Atty. Estevez emphasized.
The entire academic community as well as the province of Camarines Norte are extremely grateful to the Commission on Higher Education led by the Chairperson, Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis for the Commission's steadfast commitment to promote accessible and quality higher education for the Filipino students, as well as its invaluable guidance and support to make this dream of CamNortenos a reality. In a message, the Chair-Designate of the University of Camarines Norte Board of Regents, Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong, expressed her support and felicitations to the entire academic community for this very important milestone. Dr. Aguilar-Ong is expected to lead the University as its Chair-Designate of the now, University of Camarines Norte.
This period of transition will witness the approval of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the RA 11399, the new University Code, the new University Hymn and Logo, and all other necessary policies applicable to a State University. The University of Camarines Norte is expected to further expand its academic offerings, strengthen research and innovation ecosystems, foster stronger community engagement, and create wider opportunities for students and professionals across the Bicol Region and beyond.
As the institution enters a new era, it carries with it the enduring legacy of Camarines Norte State College — a legacy built through decades of resilience, service, and excellence.
From college to university, the journey continues — stronger, bolder, and ready to shape the future. UCN will continue to Lead, Innovate and Transform communities.
