Its history traces its humble beginnings in 1911, when it started as the Camarines Sur Trade School (CSTS). Mr. Pedro Hidalgo organized trade courses in the intermediate level, offering carpentry, drawing and trade arts. Classes were first held at the library hall of the Camarines Sur High School. In 1924, it started offering Vocational courses in the Secondary level under Mr. Doroteo Federis.

In November 1925, the first permanent school building was constructed, the Gabaldon building, on its 25,699-sq.m. school site donated by the provincial government. This building still exists and is considered as the school’s historical landmark. Woodworking courses were also introduced during the term of Mr. Cornelio Casaclang, as Principal.

At the outbreak of World War II, the school principal was Mr. Romulo Y. Mendoza. In 1945, the school was re- opened under Mrs. Primitiva Obias as Officer in- Charge until the reassignment of Mr. Cornelio Casaclang. Auto- mechanics, Building Construction and Furniture and Cabinet Making were offered. In 1948, during the administration of Oligario Lenon, girls trades courses in Dressmaking, Cosmetology and Food Trades were offered and with it the construction of buildings and shops

By virtue of House Bill no. 2919 (R.A. 825), sponsored by Congressman Emilio Tible, and approved on August 15, 1952, the school was nationalized and renamed Camarines Sur National School of Arts and Trades (CSNSAT). Mr. Manuel T. Espinosa became its first Superintendent. In 1954, the two- year post- secondary trade technical education was offered.

Upon its conversion to a full-fledged college by virtue of R.A. No. 5056 sponsored by Cong. Ramon H. Felipe, Jr. on June 17, 1967, the CSNSAT was converted into a College and renamed as Bicol College of Arts and Trades (BCAT) and was authorized to offer courses like Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education (BSIE). This was during the term of Mr. Carlos Borjal. But before it formally assumed its name as BCAT, it was known as Camarines Sur National College of Arts and Trades (CSNCAT) until in the mid 1980’s when it adapted its name BCAT.

Tertiary level was immensely expanded to cover other fields of trade technical education, thus the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) was opened in 1977. Under the Technical– Vocational Education Project (TVEP), it was selected as one of the pilot Technician Education Institutes (TEI) for Region V, by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (MECS). The education component of the project was operationalized in the school year 1984-1985, by the offering of the two year Diploma in Industrial Technician (DIT) curriculum, with four major fields of specialization namely Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical , and Refrigeration and Air conditioning technologies.

In 1984, Dr. Pacita S. Yorobe temporarily headed the school. Five months later, in April 1, 1985, Superintendent Augusto R. Nieves took over—the second alumnus to achieve such status. In 1988, by virtue of DECS Order no. 39, s. 1988, the Teacher Education component was expanded through the offering of the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd), major in Technology and Home Economics (THE), Mathematics, English and Physics; and Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BEEd) with the area of specialization in Home Economics and Livelihood Education (HELE).

Under the administration of Mr. Honesto T. Aguilar, the 5th School Superintendent, BCAT started its offering of engineering courses namely: Electrical Engineering (BSEE) Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE), Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSA). The institution had its first Engineering and Architecture graduates in March of 2001 and until now had steadily produced board passers and board topnotchers.

BCAT continued its bid for excellence in technology and teacher education under Mr. Pedro F. Moreno, the 6th Superintendent of the College. It remained undefeated during the annual Skills Olympic among TECHVOC schools in the Region. Its students maintained its dominance in the FFP-FAHP contests for high school students.

In December 2000, pursuant to Republic Act 8760, on the integration of CHED Supervised Institution (CSI’s) to State Universities and College (SUC’s), the Bicol College of Arts and Trades was integrated to the Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) in Nabua, Camarines Sur with Dr. Lourdes B. Laniog as its President and Dr. Amparo A. Nieves as the Campus Director in the Naga Campus. On July 1, 2002, Dr. Monsito G. Ilarde was appointed College President. Within the first month of his Presidency, he effected the integration of BCAT to Camarines Sur Polytechnic College (CSPC), with Dr. Alejandro R. Cortez as the new Campus Director until October, 2003, when the position was reverted back to Dr. Nieves, until her retirement in 2006. Pursuant to CSPC Board of Trustees Resolution No. 00-044, the former BCAT was named CSPC Naga Campus.

Under the presidency of Dr. Dulce F. Atian in 2010, the Naga Campus was entrusted under the care of Dr. Richard H. Cordial as Campus Director from May 2010 to May 2012 and then as Campus Administrator until November of 2012.

On October 19, 2012, under the sponsorship of Cong. Luis R. Villafuerte of the 3rd District of Camarines Sur, Pres. Benigno Aquino III signed the passage of RA 10231 formally separating the school from CSPC and naming it the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) with its first President, Dr. Richard H. Cordial. With its impressive new moniker, the institution is given its new mandate,

“To primarily provide advanced education, higher technological, professional and vocational instruction and training in the sciences, arts, education, entrepreneurship, engineering and other related courses. It shall also undertake research and extension services and provide progressive leadership in its areas of specification.”

The establishment of BISCAST as an independent state college has paved its way to rapid progress in the institutionalization of quality assurance systems, strengthening of its research capabilities, and the modernization of its facilities.

In June 2020, the Congress approved House Bill 6858 filed by Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr. of the 2nd District of Camarines Sur, converting BISCAST from being a state college to a state university which shall be named as the Southeast Asian University of Technology (SEAUTech).

In 2021, just a year after the world witnessed the impact of the pandemic, the institution transitioned to its new leadership in March welcoming the second SUC President, Dr. Alex H. Navarroza, by virtue of the CHED Memorandum No. 3 Series of 2001, otherwise known as the Implementing Rules & Regulations of Republic Act 8292. Under his ardent and strong-willed leadership, the institution remains at the forefront of being the premier applied sciences and technology institution in the region.

Several months after Dr. Navarroza’s appointment as President, the bill converting BISCAST to SEAUTech was signed into law through RA 11585. On September 10, 2021, President Rodrigo R. Duterte presented a copy of the said law to Dr. Navarroza at the Malacañang Palace.

The CSNCAT, the BCAT, the CSPC-Naga Campus, and now BISCAST, has survived through over 109 years as an institution of learning and served generations of Bicolanos - leading young men and women who have passed through its portals as productive citizens or community leaders.

In this time of great volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, the College continues to be steadfast and resilient on putting its stakeholders at the core of its mission while preparing for its ultimate destination as a full-fledged smart, future-proof, technopreneurial, green, and healthy Southeast Asian University of Technology (SEAUTech).