on 22 march 2001, pablo borbon memorial institute of technology was converted into batangas state university by virtue of republic act no. 9045. ernesto m. de chavez became the university's first president. the conversion also led to the unification of the grade school department and the laboratory school from which the integrated school came into existence with maxima ramos as its first director. however, in 2005, de chavez and three of his staff were fired by ombudsman simeon v. marcelo for dishonesty and grave misconduct. his term officially ended on 17 april 2006 and he would be convicted with graft in the ensuing years. on 17 july 2006, nora l. magnaye assumed as the university's second president and the first woman to hold the position. her presidency inherited a huge debt from the previous administration; thus, the university resolved to enter debt settlements with its creditors. some ₱300 million were allocated for the rehabilitation of the school's facilities, continuation of several unfinished buildings, and construction of new infrastructures. batangas state university started to establish ties with different universities and colleges in malaysia, south korea, thailand, and vietnam.