The Batangas State University (Filipino: Pamantasang Estado ng Batangas), formerly Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology is a local technology-based curriculum university occupying 10 campuses located throughout the Province of Batangas. Centered in the capital of the province, the university is listed as rank 137 of top accredited colleges and universities of the Philippines and was named as one of the best mechanical engineering schools prior to the Professional Regulation Commission Licensure Examination last March 2010. The beginning of Batangas State University's history could be traced way back on 1903 when Manual Training School was founded under the supervision of an American principal, Mr. Scheer on its present site in Batangas City. Two years later it was named Batangas Trade School, admitting only male students for gainful occupations such as woodworking. It was destroyed by a fire on 1928 until classes resumed on 1932. Classes was closed again after World War II broke out in the Philippines. After the war, the school resumed activities under the leadership of Mr. Vicente Mendoza as principal.