Cagayan State University culminated its 48th Founding Anniversary Celebration on June 11, 2026, with the presentation of the University's Way Forward and the highly anticipated Magpasikat Talent Exhibition, bringing together employees, officials, and stakeholders from across the CSU System.

During the culminating program, Officer-in-Charge President Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez delivered a comprehensive State of the University and Way Forward Address, highlighting CSU's accomplishments over the past three years and outlining the University's strategic priorities for 2026 and beyond.

Dr. Ibañez emphasized that the University's achievements are the result of the collective efforts of its students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners, and stakeholders.

"The Journey to Gold continues," he said, reiterating CSU's commitment to becoming a globally competitive, future-ready, and socially responsive institution.

Among the University's priorities are sustaining top performance in licensure examinations, expanding ETEEAP and micro-credentialing programs, advancing distance education, strengthening international accreditations and global rankings, enhancing faculty development and regularization, activating new research centers, expanding electromobility initiatives, advancing sustainability programs, and strengthening international partnerships and resource generation.

He likewise highlighted major infrastructure and development plans, including the establishment of the University Sports Complex at CSU Lal-lo Campus, the Coffee Shop Project at CSU Piat Campus, the continued implementation of the 45,000 Trees Project, and the development of a 100-hectare orchard program.

The address also stressed CSU's efforts to support legislative initiatives seeking the conversion of Baggao, Buguey, and Calayan extension campuses into regular campuses.

Meanwhile, the university, through Dr. Ian Roger M. Francisco, university director of UPDO, also announced the results of Panaddaman: The Journey of CSU Toward Gold, a memorabilia competition celebrating the institution’s rich history and legacy.

The initiative serves as the first step toward the establishment of the proposed CSU Heritage Corner, which will officially open during the University's Golden Anniversary Celebration in 2028 at CSU-Carig Campus.

In her message, Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Theresa B. Dimalanta reminded the CSU community that the Journey to Gold is a continuous pursuit of excellence, encouraging everyone to uplift one another, embrace opportunities for growth, and work together toward even greater milestones for the University.

The anniversary celebration concluded with the Magpasikat Talent Exhibition, where employees from the different campuses and the Central Administration showcased their talents through performances in music, dance, and theater.

Emerging as Champion was CSU Lal-lo Campus, followed by CSU Central Administration as First Runner-Up and CSU Aparri Campus as Second Runner-Up.

The 48th Founding Anniversary celebration carried the theme of honoring CSU's legacy while advancing its vision of excellence, innovation, sustainability, and service as it continues its Journey to Gold toward its Golden Anniversary in 2028.