AS THE ONLY national university in the country, the University of the Philippines System takes pride in being the pioneer in higher education through academic excellence, outstanding research, public service, and modernized facilities. Established in 1908, UP started as a small Manila campus with only a few colleges. Over the years, UP has made a reputation for itself as a research and graduate university that produces scientific and creative outputs of the highest quality which receive both national and in international recognition. Today, the University is comprised of seven constituent universities located in 12 campuses throughout the Philippine archipelago. UP’s constituent universities nurture the intellectual and cultural growth of the Filipino through 246 undergraduate and 362 graduate programs. No other academic institution in the country can match the scope and range of the University’s course offerings that include almost all disciplines and embrace all interests and inclinations. 30 percent of its faculty have doctorate degrees and 42 percent have master’s degrees. The rest are working on their graduate studies. UP’s student population of over 50,000 thrives in the liberal atmosphere that is part of the tradition of a UP education. And UP graduates have become the country’s leaders in politics and governance, law, the sciences, and the arts. To date, UP has produced more than 25 National Scientists in fields as diverse as history, engineering, physics, agriculture, biophysical chemistry, psychology, medicine, plant physiology, genetics, and cytogenetics. But UP’s strength does not lie in its scientific pursuits alone: 30 out of 50 National Artists named thus far are UP alumni, coming from literature, the visual arts, music, dance, theater, film, and architecture. UP also maintains an exemplary performance record in professional licensure examinations in fields such as law, accounting, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, chemistry, geology, engineering, environmental planning, education, library science, social work, nutrition and dietetics, interior design, architecture, fisheries, agriculture, etc. Internationally recognized as the leading educational institution in the country, UP is the only Philippine university in the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), where membership is based on the nomination and votes of member universities. UP is also the only Philippine university in the ASEAN-European University Network (ASEA UNINET), and is one of two Philippine universities in the ASEAN University Network (AUN). As it approaches its centennial, the University aims to further improve its academic and research programs across the System and works towards strengthening its units outside Metro Manila. By streamlining functions, encouraging innovation and creativity in its course offerings, as well as developing its technological and physical infrastructure, UP hopes to meet the demands of the changing times and take its place as one of the best in the region, and eventually, the world.
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