The Eastern Samar State University – Can-avid was established by virtue of RA 3500 on June 18, 1961 as Can-avid Rural Agricultural School (CRAS_ which offered Secondary Vocational Agriculture and Homemaking courses. Formal classes were started at Can-avid Central Elementary School, utilizing some of its teachers to augment its teaching force. On October 15, 1962 classes were transferred to Barangay Mabuhay, eight kilometer away from the production of Can-avid. The new school site spans on area of 150 hectares.

On November 18, 1968, the school became Can-avid National Agricultural School (CNAS) through RA 5411. Transportation from the town to the school site was then a big problem for the populace. As a consequence, enrollment decreased progressively from year to year prompting the administration to transfer its location. On January 20, 1968 Can-avid National Agricultural School was erected to its present site in the poblacion of Can-avid.

Eight years after, RA 7613 converted the school into a tertiary learning institution and renamed it as the Can-avid Junior Agricultural College (CJAC). Curricular programs were expanded offering non-degree and four –year degree programs in Agriculture.

October 30, 1999 marked the integration of the college to Eastern Samar State College – Borongan pursuant to the provision of RA 8745 (General Appropriations Act of 1999) and RA 8292 (Modernization of Higher Education Act) and the college became knows as Eastern Samar State College – Can-avid

Strengthening the college resources in every way has always been a mission. The old concept of WORKING TOGETHER closely, is regenerated each time the ESSC network of campuses are linked to work for the highest ideal-that of making the college to a university in the context of national and international competitiveness.

With the dynamic leadership of Congressmen Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, Republic Act 9312 was approved on August 7, 2004 converting the Eastern Samar State College (ESSC) to Eastern Samar State University (ESSU). Henceforth, ESSC- Can-avid is now Eastern Samar State University – Can-avid.

            The Southern Samar National Agricultural School was established in 1960 by virtue of R.A. No. 2516 authored by the late Congressman Felipe J. Abrigo acclaimed as the “Father of Education of Eastern Samar”. With his untiring concern for the educational upliftment of his constituents he again sponsored R. A. No. 4048 renaming it as Southern Samar Agricultural College in 1964. Its new name, Southern Samar College of Agriculture, Science and Technology (SSCAST) came into being by virtue of R.A. 8694. In 1999, the college was integrated to the Eastern Samar State College System in response to Republic Act. No. 7722 otherwise known as the Higher Education Act 1994 and Republic Act. No. 8292 otherwise known as Higher Education Modernization Act of 1997.

            For more than four decades, the college has worked hard for the realization of its mission to its service area. It has dared to produce excellent graduates who are committed to both local and national development thrusts. Its lofty ideals in expanding its programs of instruction, extension, research and production have benefited the developmental setup of the province, the region, and the nation as a whole. Beset with the challenges of being a part of a university system, the school for obliged to reconcile its vision, goals and objectives with those of the system for further advancement in the years to come.

            With zeal, dynamism and commitment, previous and present administrators have competently led the college constituency in the implementation of academic and related programs and projects which resulted to growth and expansion.

            From the four pioneering undergraduate courses which were mostly agriculture-oriented, thirteen (13) undergraduate courses and two (2) technical and academic graduate courses were developed. This significant growth in the curricular offerings of ESSU Salcedo was highlighted with the recent high percentage of passing in the Licensure Examination for Teachers obtained by B.E.E.d. graduates of this campus.

            Like other campuses of the Eastern Samar State University, Salcedo campus has taken greater strides in its pursuit for academic excellence and global competitiveness. Its continuos submission for evaluation to the Accrediting Agency for Charted Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP) is considered a great stride for growth and development because it is through accreditation wherein the level of excellence of an institution of learning is determined. ESSU Salcedo’s BEED program was able to attain Level II status, a notable achievement to which the high percentage of passing the LET is attributed.

            Contributory to its instructional thrusts is the capacity of its library holdings which heighten learning as well as promote/assist researchers. Research then becomes both meaningful and convenient with such procurement. Likewise, the functional utilization of computers and access to the Internet have significantly improved the instruction, research and extension functions in this external campus of the university.

            Extension activities are fully implemented through linkages with various non-government and government agencies aimed at developing the countryside. Ample facilities and structures are made possible program through able extension managers and workers.

            ESSU Salcedo is situated on a 120-hectare sprawling verdure with an invigorating atmosphere where buildings and other infrastructure units like students center, gymnasium, cafeteria, guest house, convention hall and a chapel are strategically settled. Also on this site are coconut plantations, fruit trees, ornamentals, swine and poultry which are abundantly raised. The whole site, adorned with stately pine trees, well-trimmed hedges and varied flowering plants, truly captures passers-by.

            With all the blessing of Nature and the availability of human resources, ESSU Salcedo can do more and share more now and in the coming years.