batangas state university was originally established as the manual training school in 1903 through the supervision of its first american principal, mr. scheer. the institution aimed to train youth for beneficial jobs specifically in woodworking. two years later, it was renamed batangas trade school with mr. schartz, zacarias canent, isaias maclang, and nad pascual magcamit as its principals, successively. the school was destroyed by fire in 1928 and classes were held temporarily at the old government building near the present basilica of immaculate conception church. the construction of the school building at the site of batangas state university's main campus i began in 1932.