From two classrooms to three-storey facility: VSU turns over new FME building

Marking a major breakthrough in easing campus classroom constraints, Visayas State University (VSU) officially turned over a newly constructed three-storey academic building to its end-users, giving a permanent and modern home to the Faculty of Management and Economics (FME).

The turnover and inauguration, which was marked by a traditional ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony on August 10,2026, addresses a long-standing need for additional classroom space for the faculty with nearly 900 undergraduate Agribusiness students. 

Before the turnover, the faculty of the Department of Business and Management (DBM) could barely cope with the existing two classrooms in order to accommodate the big body of students it serves.

FME Dean, Dr. Mark C. Ratilla, shared the journey and expressed gratitude to the VSU administration during the turnover.

“For several years, the Department of Business and Management managed with only 2 classrooms while serving nearly 900 BS Agribusiness students. It wasn’t always easy, but we made it work. Today, we’re grateful to finally have a new academic building, a major step forward for our students, faculty, and the entire FME community. This facility will provide our students with the learning spaces they deserve while also helping increase classroom capacity for other departments across the university,” he expressed.

Expanding university-wide capacity

The new three-story building provides a number of modern classrooms, as well as function areas, student lounge, and a fully equipped offices for faculty members, solving the long-standing spatial problem of the department while also relieving the pressure on the class schedule.

Highlighting the importance of the infrastructure project to the overall development of the university, Dr. Glenn G. Pajares, the Vice President for Planning and Development, affirmed that the new building would add to the capacity of the institution.

“The newly turned-over three-storey Academic Building for the Faculty of Management and Economics provides additional classrooms and faculty rooms that will significantly augment the instructional facilities of the said faculty. More importantly, this development addresses the broader classroom requirements of the entire university, thereby enhancing the institution’s capacity to deliver quality education. The improved learning spaces contribute to a more conducive environment for teaching and learning, supporting the university’s commitment to academic excellence,” he shared.

Modern learning space for future leaders

With the building now fully occupied by the FME, faculty members and administrative offices have transitioned into their new spaces. It is expected that the new learning environment would contribute to increased academic productivity, enhance research collaboration, and boost enrollments in agribusiness, business administration, and economics programs.

The completion of the FME Academic Building is part of the VSU administration's continuous infrastructural development program which seeks to update learning spaces while also expanding the university’s physical printing capacity across all academic units.

This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No. 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

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