HISTORY OF CICT
The College of Information and Communications Technology traces back its rich heritage from the College of Industrial Technology of the then Bulacan College of Arts and Trade. Started as the Computer Department of the College of Industrial Technology in 1989, the department was in-charge of the two-year Computer Technician Course with Mr. Hilario as pioneer computer instructors wit
h the latter as Area Chairman. Using two computer laboratory rooms in the first floor of Integrated Building and with less than 15 computers per laboratory, the course was focused on computer software and hardware familiarization. During the succeeding years, additional sections for the Computer Technician course was created in order to cater to the growing demand on computer-related graduates. With the increase in section, additional computer instructors were hired as well as additional computer units. With this development, the CIT Computer Department was converted to BCATโs Computer Center. With the conversion of BCAT to Bulacan State University in the year 1996 and the desire to spread computer literacy in University, President Rosario P. Pimentel envisioned of further widening the scope of the Computer Center. And in 1999 the vision became a reality with the approval of the University Board of Regents and the ardent campaign of Mr. Hilario; the BCAT Computer Center was converted to the Institute of Computer Education with Mr. Hilario as Dean. As Institute of Computer Education, the seven sections of Bachelor in Industrial major in Computer Technology were turned over to the Institute from the College of Industrial Technology. Additional rooms were acquired for the Institute. The Jewellery-Making Shops in the first floor of the Integrated Building were vacated in order to be used as Digital Electronic laboratory rooms. Reorientations of electrical installations were done as well as furnishing of the computer laboratory rooms to make it more suitable for the student and instructors use. Additional computer units as well as computer chairs were also acquired. The Institute knows that aside from curricular development, extra curricular development should also be monitored and supported, and with this, the Association of Computer Technology Students was created with Mr. Pulumbarit as first adviser. Faculty development was also done through trainings and seminars with government and private agencies like the National Computer Center, MOSCOM Internet, and Colombo Plan to name a few. With these trainings, faculty members enhanced their skills in programming, multimedia authoring, and web page development. The Institute was also active in extension services since 1992. Forging agreement between the Bulacan State University and the Department of Budget and Management Region III, ICE conducted electronic spreadsheet and database management. to its personnel. Series of seminar - workshop were also conducted for the Department of Education, Culture and Sports through the help of the then Division Superintendent Fe S. Ventura. Focusing on computer operations, word processing, electronic spread sheet and database management, public school principals were educated. These extension services were done during weekends and on semestral breaks. With these developments, ICE also served as a service institute, teaching computer literacy classes for students under College of Education, College of Industrial Technology, College of Arts and Sciences, Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts, and Institute of Home Economics
With the start of the new millennium, the ICE Faculty headed by Director Hilario started the formulation of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology curriculum. And with the approval of the Board of Regents, the BSIT program was offered at the start of Academic Year 2001 โ 2002, which year after year gradually increase the number of enrolees as well as the number of sections. With this increase demands the demand for additional instructors and computer laboratory rooms. New instructors highly skilled and knowledgeable in the field of programming, networking, and computer hardware maintenance were hired. Two rooms used by the College of Arts and Sciences were acquired as well as additional rooms from the former Public Highways office. Three more rooms where also constructed in the ground floor of the Engineering Building that was used by the BSIT and BIT-Comp Tech students. Also a room was acquired from the College of Education Building which is use for Digital Electronics laboratory rooms and National Service Training Program of ICE students. In order to further promote the use of web browsing and the Internet, another room was constructed in the ground floor Engineering Building that was use for Internet rentals and managed by Websat that was later turned over to the ICE which was developed as a lecture room and for Internet rentals. The Internet rental is being utilized by almost all students of the University with high-speed Digital Subscriber Line connection. The BSIT students also formed their own student organization, the Society for the Welfare of Information Technology Students with Dr. Victoria P. Valenzuela as first adviser. In the same time, the Institute formed its official newsletter, the CURSOR and the ICE Parent-Teacher Associate was also organized with Engr. Ricardo Correa, Sr. as first President. During this period, Dr. Alexander S. dela Paz was appointed as Associate Dean who also headed the Internal Quality Assessment Unit of the Institute. And on the year 2005, the first batch of BSIT students graduated together with the graduates from the 2-year and 4-year Computer Technology course. In the opening of Academic Year 2005 โ 2006, the Institute formally had three area chairmen handling the programs offered by the ICE. Lilibeth V. Sandoval, Mr. Gerriper T. Bernardo, Mrs. Evangeline F. Gonzales headed the BSIT Program, BIT-Comp Tech program, and Computer Related courses respectively. As the saying goes, perseverance today, prosperity tomorrow, the Institute has come along way and with the start of the Academic Year 2007 โ 2008; the Board of Regent approved the conversion of the Institute of Computer Education to the College of Information and Communication technology with Mr. Hilario as College Dean. Mrs. Gonzales, Mr. Bernardo, and Mrs. Ma. Fita S. Reyes was appointed as department head for BSIT Program, BIT-Computer Technology Program, and Computer Related courses respectively. The CIT Computer Department, BCAT Computer Center, Institute of Computer Education, and now the College of Information and Communication Technology have gone along way. Starting with just two computer laboratory it now has 17 rooms. From less than 15 computer units per room, it now has an average of 25 computers per room or roughly 400 computers. And with two computer instructors in 1989, it has more than 50 faculty members skilled in the diversified field of ICT. With this development, the CICT further aims to soar high in this era of information age not only in the University but in the whole region as well.
