University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines (UP) is an educational institution with a rich history and deep cultural roots. Established on June 18, 1908, based on Philippine Legislative Act No. 1870 (the University Charter), UP has evolved into the largest and most influential national comprehensive university in the Philippines. Its establishment received assistance from Americans, following the model of the Rand Corporation's funding for universities, with Dr. Murray Bartlett, an American, serving as its first president.
Over more than a century of development, UP has not only become a member of the ASEAN University Network but also earned a prominent place in the 2023 QS World University Rankings at 412, signifying its global importance in education.
UP enjoys a prestigious reputation both domestically and internationally, being the top-ranked university in the Philippines and occupying the 48th position in Asia. As the only public institution among the "Big Four" universities in the Philippines, UP receives 70% of the national education budget annually. The university follows a complete American-style education system, conducting classes entirely in English, and has nurtured numerous elites across various fields. As of 2022, UP holds the 399th position in the QS World University Rankings.
Since its founding, UP has continually adapted to the changing times. By 2017, when the 21st president, Danilo Concepcion, took office, the university had expanded into a massive university system comprising eight constituent universities with 21 campuses located throughout the Philippine archipelago. To date, UP has produced 39 National Scientists, 40 National Artists, 2 National Social Scientists, 7 Presidents of the Republic, and 15 Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, among other outstanding individuals.
Initially consisting of the Colleges of Fine Arts, Medicine, and Agriculture, UP has since diversified into numerous colleges and disciplines while maintaining a fully American-style education system and English as the medium of instruction. After nearly a century of trials and tribulations, the University of the Philippines has achieved significant accomplishments in education, research, and societal service. It has become the largest national comprehensive university in the Philippines, profoundly impacting both the academic community and societal development, both nationally and internationally.
Among the four major UP campuses, the Manila campus focuses on medicine, the Los BaƱos campus specializes in agriculture and forestry, the Visayas campus emphasizes fisheries and aquaculture, while the Diliman campus offers a comprehensive range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, technology, and economics and management sciences.