Up next for CSU infra-wise: 11 projects, including big dormitories

CSU is a learning community supportive of its stakeholders' development and welfare. In sustaining academic excellence, the university recognizes that pushing for excellent and sustainable infrastructure is vital. Relevant to this, the university is thrilled to share its latest infrastructure projects that will benefit its estimated 17,560 students. 

Six (6) academic buildings, one (1) innovation and training center, one flood control project, and three (3) long-awaited dormitories are in the works on both the Main and Cabadbaran campuses. The said projects have an allocation/building cost of Php 936,690,031.60

All-new, big dormitories for both campuses. Two (2) new dormitories for gentlemen and ladies in the Main Campus will be completed in 2026, while one (1) in Cabadbaran will be operational this year. 

These state-of-the-art housing facilities with an approved budget of 770 million will be a place for students to live, learn, and grow in a safe, inclusive, and supportive space. It will feature a balance of functionality, comfort, and privacy with neutral tones, durable materials, and minimalistic finishes to create a practical, secure, and welcoming environment. 

Fostering a sense of community and interaction is important in the design of the dormitories. Aside from well-ventilated corridors that lead to rooms with beds, study desks, wardrobes, and bathrooms, common areas such as lounges, study halls, and pantries will be provided. There will also be special rooms with extra amenities for international students. The dormitories can house about 1,900 students.

Additional classrooms for both campuses. With the growing number of students influenced by the opening of new programs and enrollment surge, more classrooms are required to maintain a favorable learning setting for students. To address this, the university has planned to build additional classrooms, with two targeted to be completed this year. 

The six-classroom buildings are designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and modern learning space with large windows, ceiling fans, and LED lighting that ensure a bright and well-ventilated room. The interior will follow a modern minimalist concept with natural touches to create a clean, functional, and comfortable learning environment. They will also feature classmate chairs, a teaching wall with a whiteboard, and 65 65-inch smart TV. 

The classrooms are more than a response to increasing enrollment. As CSU continues to serve a more diverse student population, these facilities represent CSU’s vision for a future-ready campus, prepared to meet the evolving needs of education.

SoM Academic Building (Main Campus). CSU is the home of the region’s first medical school, which will start honing future physicians and allied health professionals by August this year. The construction of the School of Medicine’s Academic Building has an allocation of 50 million. It will feature cutting-edge technology, team-facilitated, active, and self-directed learning, promoting individualized and interprofessional education.

The facility will serve as a venue for modern and transformative pedagogy, which will mold the students into competent five-star physicians. It will pave the way for professional activities and competency-based learning, which are crucial in addressing the scarcity of the medical workforce in Caraga.

Academic Complex (Cabadbaran Campus). The existing athenaeum in the Cabadbaran Campus will be turned into a U-shaped building with the addition of left and right wings, providing more classrooms, laboratories, and inclusive amenities. The 40 million budget allocated for its Phase 1 development features a safe, comfortable, and sustainable design. Such modern, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable building is aligned with global educational and developmental goals.

New Student Hub (Cabadbaran Campus). Offering a dedicated space for an estimated 5,800 students, a multipurpose facility with a comfortable and accessible space for socializing and relaxing will be opened this year in the Cabadbaran Campus. The hub will also allow the students to collaborate and learn with dedicated spaces for studying and convenient access to food stalls, supporting their academic pursuits and overall well-being. 

Modernized Tourism and Hospitality Management Building. Another one for the Cabadbaran Campus, the CTHM building will be refreshed into a modern, eco-friendly, and disaster-resilient facility, replacing its 1980 structure. The multi-story building with a 37 million allocation will feature culinary labs, classrooms, a computer lab, mock rooms, and learning spaces. The aim is not only to modernize and expand the building, but also to enhance the education and research initiatives in hospitality and tourism.

New regional training center. The College of Forestry and Environmental Science’s existing wood workshop is being renovated to integrate the Regional Forest Products Innovation and Training Center. This initiative is in partnership with the DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) to promote the sustainable production of the region’s timber industry. The center will feature processing machinery for wood and non-wood forest products to enhance the region’s product design, processing, and utilization. It is expected to be completed this year. 

CSU Engineering and Construction (ECO) supervises the projects and ensures they are of the highest construction and engineering standards, sustainable, and cost-effective. The progress of the projects  as of April 2025 is presented below:

The completion of the projects by 2026, and those in the pipeline in the years to come, will contribute to the university’s pursuit of excellence, where the welfare of the academic community is always a high priority. This addition solidifies the university’s lead in implementing disaster-resilient, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive infrastructure projects. | with report from ECO

This feature is aligned with SDGs No. 4 (Quality Education) and No. 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)