University of San Agustin
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By Angel
University of San Agustin - Iloilo City
The University of San Agustin is a private university in Iloilo City, the Philippines. The university's campus, situated in the very heart of the city on General Luna Street, has a modern gymnasium, an auditorium, several conference and seminar rooms, science, computer and speech laboratories, a museum, a bookstore, a library, an instructional media center, and tennis and badminton courts.
The Vision
The University of San Agustin as:
A community of persons of faith and character, of wisdom and skills, living and working harmoniously despite their diversity, in the service of God country and fellowmen.
This vision is rooted in the charism of the Order of St. Agustin, “ Oneness of mind and heart, on the way to God.” And in the University’s Motto, “Virtus et Scientia”.
The Mission
The University of San Agustin commits itself to:
The total development of the human person through a Christian and Augustinian educational system in consonance with the goals expressed in the Constitution of the Philippines; and
The well-integrated educational program for the youth through instruction, research and community service.
Specifically, the University aims to:
* Nurture the Augustinian spirit of community among its members;
* Provide religious instruction and opportunities for spiritual growth;
* Offer relevant curricula in various fields of knowledge;
* Develop human resource programs to improve personnel competence and quality of life;
* Involve itself in and promote researches;
* Establish community development programs;
* Provide varied student and personnel services; and
* Foster appreciation and love for culture and the arts.
History
Augustinian friars from Spain belonging to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines founded the University of San Agustin on July 15, 1904. They were assisted by their American confreres from the Augustinian U.S. Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. The motto of the privately-owned university is Virtus et Scientia, which derives its inspiration from the school's spiritual founder St. Augustine of Hippo, and other famous Augustinians across the centuries like Thomas of Villanova, Thomas à Kempis, Gregory of Rimini, Rita of Cascia, Nicholas of Tolentine, Fray Luis de Léon, Andrés de Urdaneta, Martin Luther, Martín de Rada, Manuel Blanco and Gregor Mendel.
The university began as a preparatory school for boys during the American colonial period. It was granted government recognition on December 12, 1912 for its various course offerings. On February 5, 1917, it was formally incorporated under the name Colegio de San Agustín de Iloilo. In 1928, one of the country's oldest campus publications, The Augustinian Mirror, was established, producing some of the country's well-known writers. The 1930s saw rapid growth with the opening of three colleges in quick succession: College of Liberal Arts in 1935, College of Commerce in 1936 and College of Law in 1937. On the eve of the Second World War, the college admitted female students for the first time in 1940.
During the Second World War (1941-45), the college was temporarily shuttered as the Philippines fought a guerilla war against the Japanese. The war led to the destruction of all the buildings, except for Urdaneta Hall, which at present houses the university theatre and the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology. With almost the entire college in ruins, some friars advocated closing the school altogether while others pushed for its immediate rehabilitation. It was eventually reopened in 1945, followed by a decade of expansion that ushered in both the College of Pharmacy and the College of Technology (1945), the Normal (Teacher's) College (1947), the Graduate School (1950), and the College of Dentistry (1953). The school was granted university status on March 1, 1953, a year before its 50th anniversary, making it the first university in Western Visayas.
The following year, Rev. Angel Dulanto, OSA arrived from Spain after completing his studies at Villanova University, an American sister school of San Agustin. As an impresario, he introduced the yearly velada, characterized by a weeklong festivity of artistic, religious, and cultural events. A zarzuela, staged by both professors and students, is the centerpiece of University Week from February 14-20.
In 1965 Rev. Nicanor Lana, OSA, Ph.D. became rector of the university. His term was marked by vast improvements in the school's infrastructure. The same year he started his term as rector, he inaugurated DySA, the official radio station of the university, to help expand the reach of the university through mass media. The University of San Agustín Press, known today as Libro Agustino, came a year later. In the months leading to the centenary of San Agustín in 2004, it issued one hundred book titles by Augustinian authors.
Poor enrollment forced the administrators to phase out the College of Dentistry in 1967. But a flowering of cultural and artistic activities on campus led to the founding of the famous Kawilihan Dancers, the USA Troubadours, and the Conservatory of Music. Rev. Santiago Ezcurra, OSA, a Spanish musician who studied music in Rome, was formally installed as its first dean. In 1969 the USA Clinical Laboratory was opened, followed a few years later by the introduction of the College of Nursing in 1974.
During the Second World War (1941-45), the college was temporarily shuttered as the Philippines fought a guerilla war against the Japanese. The war led to the destruction of all the buildings, except for Urdaneta Hall, which at present houses the university theatre and the College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology. With almost the entire college in ruins, some friars advocated closing the school altogether while others pushed for its immediate rehabilitation. It was eventually reopened in 1945, followed by a decade of expansion that ushered in both the College of Pharmacy and the College of Technology (1945), the Normal (Teacher's) College (1947), the Graduate School (1950), and the College of Dentistry (1953). The school was granted university status on March 1, 1953, a year before its 50th anniversary, making it the first university in Western Visayas.
The following year, Rev. Angel Dulanto, OSA arrived from Spain after completing his studies at Villanova University, an American sister school of San Agustin. As an impresario, he introduced the yearly velada, characterized by a weeklong festivity of artistic, religious, and cultural events. A zarzuela, staged by both professors and students, is the centerpiece of University Week from February 14-20.
In 1965 Rev. Nicanor Lana, OSA, Ph.D. became rector of the university. His term was marked by vast improvements in the school's infrastructure. The same year he started his term as rector, he inaugurated DySA, the official radio station of the university, to help expand the reach of the university through mass media. The University of San Agustín Press, known today as Libro Agustino, came a year later. In the months leading to the centenary of San Agustín in 2004, it issued one hundred book titles by Augustinian authors.
Poor enrollment forced the administrators to phase out the College of Dentistry in 1967. But a flowering of cultural and artistic activities on campus led to the founding of the famous Kawilihan Dancers, the USA Troubadours, and the Conservatory of Music. Rev. Santiago Ezcurra, OSA, a Spanish musician who studied music in Rome, was formally installed as its first dean. In 1969 the USA Clinical Laboratory was opened, followed a few years later by the introduction of the College of Nursing in 1974.
San Agustin today
In 1984 the all-Filipino Augustinian Province of Santo Niño of Cebu was formed, separating from the mother Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Philippines based in Madrid, and ownership of the university was handed over to the latest circumscription of the Augustinian Order. A succession of rectors was appointed, including Reverends Bernardino Ricafrente, Eusebio Berdon, Mamerto Alfeche, and Rodolfo Arreza. During Reverend Arreza's term, he pursued linkages with various universities abroad and focused on research development.
San Agustín promotes literature in the region through the Fray Luis de Léon Creative Writing Institute, sponsor of the annual national writers workshop of the same name. The workshop awards a number of writing fellowships to writers in English, Hiligaynon, and other Philippine languages. Its official student publication, The Augustinian Mirror, has won various journalism awards and has produced some of the Philippines' highly respected literary minds, notably Augustinian poet Gilbert Luis R. Centina III, OSA.
San Agustín promotes literature in the region through the Fray Luis de Léon Creative Writing Institute, sponsor of the annual national writers workshop of the same name. The workshop awards a number of writing fellowships to writers in English, Hiligaynon, and other Philippine languages. Its official student publication, The Augustinian Mirror, has won various journalism awards and has produced some of the Philippines' highly respected literary minds, notably Augustinian poet Gilbert Luis R. Centina III, OSA.
The university has a diverse student population.
Notable among the recent developments in the university was the establishment of various research and communication centers, namely:
* The Institute for Augustinian Studies
* Villanova Institute for Social Science Research and Cultural Studies
* Mendel Institute for Natural Science and Technology Research
* Institute for Social Development Issues and Initiatives
Over the years, school enrollment has dramatically increased, resulting in the decision to move the high school department to a new campus in the suburbs of Sambag, Jaro in June 1995.
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
GRADUATE SCHOOL
* Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Educational Management, Psychology and Guidance)
* Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
* Doctor of Business Management
* Master of Arts in Education (Educational Management, Psychology and Guidance, Religious Education, Chemistry, Physics, Math, English, Filipino, Natural Science, Social Science, Special Education)
* Master of Arts in Literature
* Master in Business Administration (Thesis and Non-Thesis Programs)
* Master of Public Administration
* Master of Science in Economics
* Master of Arts in Psychology
* Master of Management in Human Resource Management
* Master of Arts in Nursing
* Master in Nursing
* Master of Science in Medical Technology
* Master of Arts in Teaching Augustine
COLLEGE OF LAW
* Bachelor of Laws
COLLEGE OF COMMERCE & ACCOUNTANCY
* Bachelor of Science in Office Administration
* Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Human Resource Management
* Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Management, Marketing, Business Administration, Management Accounting, Entrepreneurship)
* Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
* Bachelor of Science in Information Management
* Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
* Bachelor of Science in Tourism
* Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service
* Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts
* Bachelor of Arts (Political Science, Literature, Economics, Philosophy, Public Administration)
* Bachelor of Science in Biology
* Bachelor of Science in Psychology
* Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
* Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
* Associate in Science (Pre-Dentistry)
TEACHERS COLLEGE
* Bachelor of Science in Educational Management
* Diploma in Teaching
* Diploma in Culinary Arts
* Bachelor of Secondary Education (English, Filipino, Library Science, Math, PEHM, Values Education, Technology and Home Economics)
* Bachelor of Elementary Education (English, Filipino, Math, MAPE, Pre-School Education, Social Science, Technology and Home Economics)
* Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
* Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management
* Bachelor of Science in Library Information Science
* Certificate in Food Service Technology
COLLEGE OF NURSING
* Bachelor of Science in Nursing
* Associate in Health Science Education
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE
* Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
* Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Painting
* Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
* Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
* Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
* Bachelor of Science in Architecture
* Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
* Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY & MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
* Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy
* Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology
* Certificate as Pharmacy Technician
* Associate in Health Science Education
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
* Bachelor of Music
* Associate in Music
* Certificate of Music Specialization
HIGH SCHOOL
ELEMENTARY DEPARTMENT
Current University Scholarships
* Entrance Scholarship
* Honor Students’ Scholarship
* St. Augustine Scholarship
* Presidential Decree (P.D. 451) Scholarship
Special Scholarships
* The University of San Agustin Alumni Association – Iloilo Chapter Scholarship
* The University of San Agustin Alumni Association – Midwest Chapter Scholarship
* The University of San Agustin Alumni Association – Northern California Chapter Scholarship
* The University of San Agustin Alumni Association – Northeast Chapter Scholarship
* Eugenio and Rosario Gison Scholarship
* The University of San Agustin Catholic Parents Association (USACPA) Scholarship (For Freshmen in any 4 or 5 year course)
* The Iloilo Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) Scholarship
* The Far East Bank and Trust Company Scholarship
* The Tiu Cho Teg Memorial Foundation Scholarship Grant
* Metrobank College scholarship
* Go Kim Pah Scholarship
* Natividad de Asis Divinagracia Scholarship
* Dr. Priscilla Larroza Scholarship
* Teacher’s College Scholarship Grants, SY 1996-1987
Privileges
* The University of San Agustin Alumni Association – Guam Chapter Scholarship
* The GSIS Scholarship Program Starting SY 1998-1999
* Eva Mondejar scholarship
* Philippine Association of Metropolitan Washington Engineers Scholarship (PAMWE)
* Kahirup Association of Nevada
* Erlinda Goco Aguiree Scholarship
