Founded in 1905 under the American colonial government of the Philippines, it is mandated and chartered as a polytechnical university by the Philippine government to provide undergraduate and graduate courses in technology education, agriculture, fishery, engineering, arts and sciences, forestry, business, health, computer, criminology, nautical and short-term vocational-technical and other continuing courses.

[3] The Escuela de Artes y Oficios de Iloilo (Iloilo School of Arts and Trades) was inaugurated on October 7, 1891, with Don Cristobal Portas, an engineer of public works, serving as its first director.

In 1951, the school was authorized to open the degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education (BSIE).

[1] The university acquired a 1.5-hectare (3.7-acre) lot across the road in addition to its present 4.75-hectare (11.7-acre) area that accommodates the main campus.

[5] ISAT U Logo symbols and meaning: Laurel fronds represents glory, honor, and success of the university.

Inside the gear, is the name Iloilo Science and Technology University in Times New Roman which was established in 1905.