Although MSU-IIT only comes officially into being on July 12, 1968, to talk about its history necessitates a quick mention of the series of schools that used to occupy the space where the present campus now sits.
The first educational institution to be established in the Iligan location is the Iligan Junior High School (1946). The school is renamed Iligan High School (1948) and Iligan City High School when Iligan becomes a chartered city (1950). The school is then converted (1956) into a vocational school and placed under the Bureau of Vocational Education carrying the name Lanao Norte Technical School which is then changed (early 1960’s) to the more familiar Lanao Technical School or LTS.
Republic Act. No. 4626 that is signed into law (1965) by former President Diosdado Macapagal seeks to convert the LTS into a vocational college with the name Northern Mindanao Institute of Technology (NMIT). Although the said law is never implemented, its enactment set off a series of events that culminated in MSU – the nearest existing state university – casting an eye on the Iligan location.
The MSU Board of Regents authorizes in April the MSU President, Dr. Antonio Isidro, to officially explore the possibility of expanding into Iligan City by utilizing the campus of the Northern Mindanao Institute of Technology (NMIT) that is formerly known as Lanao Technical School. By July, the MSU Extension Division in Iligan City (also referred to as Iligan Extension Unit) opens, offering a short General Education Curriculum, and with Prof. Victoria J. Adeva as director.
Former Acting President of MSU, Prof. Manaros B. Boransing, is appointed Dean of IIT. Under his leadership, IIT becomes the flagship campus of the MSU System. Boransing stays on until 1988 holding the title, Vice President for MSU-IIT.
MSU-IIT becomes the first autonomous unit of the MSU System.
Dr. Camar A. Umpa takes over from Prof. Boransing. He sets the Institute on the path to research university status and empowers individual offices to be able to contribute to the whole. Dr. Umpa is the first Chancellor of MSU-IIT and goes on to become President of the MSU System afterwards.
Prof. Marcelo P. Salazar is chosen as the Chancellor of IIT. He is credited for ushering the Institute into the digital age. Under Prof. Salazar’s term, MSU-IIT becomes a center of academic excellence. He is also the first Christian to head MSU-IIT.
Public administration expert and former ambassador Prof. Sukarno D. Tanggol becomes the third Chancellor of MSU-IIT. Prof. Tanggol protects MSU-IIT’s gains and continues its march towards becoming a world-class institution excelling in science and technology while remaining committed to the holistic development of the individual and society.
A university committed to the holistic development of the individual and society.
To provide quality education for the development of Mindanao and the country through relevant programs in instruction, research and community engagement.
To initiate and undertake projects and studies which bear on the manpower needs, industrial growth of Iligan, and other development projects including those needed by specific industries;
To organize and implement, as needed by the community, academic programs for the development of the technical and professional manpower that will enhance and support the industrial growth of Iligan within the economic and social development plan for Mindanao.
To realize our vision, mission, and goals, we dedicate ourselves to the following code of conduct:
Silahis ang katulad mong
nagsabog ng liwanag
Ng pag-asa’t hangarin
ng pag-unlad.
Ang pook ng Mindanao
tinanglaw at pinalad,
Nang ika’y isilang
na dakila ang hangad.
Ating ipagkapuri
Itong Pamantasan,
Ang buhay at pag-ibig
sa kanya’y iaalay;
Saan man naroroon
ay bigyang karangalan,
Dakilang paaralan
Pamantasang Mindanao.