1905-1920 – TRADE SCHOOL
The Trade School was established by Dr. Najeev M. Saleeby, Superintendent of Schools in the Moro Province in 1905. American teachers pioneered in teaching trades curriculum.

1921-1935 – ZAMBOANGA TRADE SCHOOL
The school transformed into provincial trade school known as Zamboanga Trade School. It started to offer not only initially offered elementary education and but a secondary education curriculum as well.

1936-1953 – ZAMBOANGA CITY TRADE SCHOOL
The school was placed under the administration of the charted City of Zamboanga through the Commonwealth Act No. 39. Through the initiative of the local government, the city subsequently school was converted to the school Zamboanga City Trade School (ZCTS).

1954-1958 – ZAMBOANGA CITY REGIONAL SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES
Through the efforts of the first and only Zamboangueno Senator, Roseller T. Lim, Republic Act No. 846 was approved by President Manuel L. Quezon. It mandated the conversion of ZCTS to Zamboanga City Regional School of Arts and Trades (ZCRSAT).

1959-1991 – ZAMBOANGA SCHOOL OF ARTS AND TRADES
By the virtue of Republic Act No. 2300, National President Carlos P. Garcia approved the law legitimizing the conversion of the school into a national school known as Zamboanga School of Arts and Trades.

1992-2000 – ZAMBOANGA CITY POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
Republic Act No. 7474 paved the way for the further transformation of ZSAT into Zamboanga City Polytechnic College (ZCPC) through a bill sponsored and authored by the then Congresswoman Maria Clara L. Lobregat.

2001-2018 – ZAMBOANGA CITY STATE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
As a result of the endeavors of Congressman Celso L. Lobregat, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved Republic Act No. 9142 converting ZCPC to its present name “ZAMBOANGA CITY STATE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE” in July 20, 2001. The first appointed President was Mr. Lionel R. Villavieja who retired December 2008. The college is now headed by Dr. Nelson P. Cabral who succeeded the first lady President in the person of Dr. Nora Marcos Ponce.

2018 – Present – ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY
As a result of the endeavors of Congressman Celso L. Lobregat through the House Bill 3929 which was referred to the education committee, President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved Republic Act No. 11187 converting the ZAMBOANGA CITY STATE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE into a state university known as ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY in February 21, 2018 under the administration of Dr. Nelson P. Cabral.