Miss Maria A. Ressa, Rappler Chief Executive Officer and Executive Editor and former CNN Southeast Asia News Bureau Chief and then ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs Chief, served as the guest speaker during the 89th Founding Anniversary Convocation Program of the Visayas State University held on August 10, 2013 at the VSU Gymnatorium.

Some forty agriculture teachers, researchers, supervisors, technical personnel, and students of higher education institutions, government agencies, and private firms from Visayas and Mindanao (Vis-Min) convened on June 25-28, 2013 at the VSU's Department of Horticulture for the "Training on Horticultural Research, Technology Development and Commercialization."

One of the main highlights of the 89th VSU Anniversary Celebration was the Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Day (FFD) on August 11, 2013 at the VSU Convention Center. The event is VSU’s way of acknowledging the role of farmers and fishers folk in countryside development and giving accolade for their achievements by adopting new technologies developed by some researchers and scientists of the University.

After a thorough evaluation by the Regional Level Core Group for the 2013 Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in Region 8 (College Category), the Visayas State University Main Campus through its President, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, received a letter dated July 16, 2013 from the OIC Regional Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Region 8, Director Letecia R. Maceda, congratulating the University as the Regional Winner in the Tertiary Category. Likewise, VSU was adjudged Regional Winner for the two Special Categories: Water Leadership Award and Energy Leadership Award.

The Visayas State University (VSU) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) celebrated the National Year of Rice (NYR 2013) through the Capturing Rice Photo Contest, Rice Poster-Making Contest, and Rice Harvest Dance Festival as one of the highlights of the 89th VSU Founding Anniversary.

Annually, the Visayas State University gives awards of recognition to some individuals who extremely did outstanding performances in their respective workplaces which contributed to the attainment and fulfillment of its vision as the premier University of science and technology in the Visayas. Likewise, VSU acknowledges the loyalty, faithful and dedicated services rendered by its employees from the time they were hired until their retirement. The awarding of plaques of recognition to some individuals is one of the highlights of the 89th VSU Founding Anniversary celebration held on August 10, 2013 at the VSU Gymnatorium.

In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the VSU Culture and the Arts Center (CAC) and the 1st National Arts Month, the VSU Choral Ensemble under the tutelage of Mr. Jesus Freddy M. Baldos serenaded the VSU constituents with a tapestry of songs ranging from modern, pop to Philippine and Indonesian folksongs mostly sang in a capella and the rest with piano accompaniment. The post-valentine concert dubbed "Musical Kaleidoscope", which was held on February 17, 2012 at the VSU Convention Center, was the choir's second major concert and was staged for free.