Philippines Education

The Philippines has been one of the educational centers in Southeast Asia, if not Asia itself. Philippine schools have been the preferred option of many foreign students from neighboring countries, sometimes even those coming from the Middle East, Africa, and New Zealand, among many others.

University of the Philippines

Among top and popular universities in the country today is the University of the Philippines or UP. Founded in 1908, it is among Philippine schools that have been producing quality graduates annually, as well as top hurdlers of national professional licensure board examinations. It is said that UP produces the scholars of the country who later man major and delicate positions in business, industries, and politics, even the helm of the national government. Several Philippine presidents were products of UP. There are several UP Chapters today, most famous of which is UP in Diliman, Quezon City. There are also other UP campuses in Manila, Baguio, and Los Banos.

Ateneo de Manila

When talking of foremost Philippine schools Ateneo de Manila is among those worthy of mentioning. The Jesuits started it in 1859 inside the old Walled City of Intramuros when Ateneo was still subsidized by the state. In 1959 it became among private Philippine schools given a university charter status. It moved to its present Quezon City location in Loyola Heights, right at the back of UP along Katipunan Avenue. Ateneo is famous for its College of Law, but it also has schools of business at the Rockwell Center and in Salcedo Village, both in Makati City. Ateneo Public Health and School of Medicine is in the Ortigas Center, Pasig. Ateneo is among Philippine schools that produce cream-of-the-crop studentry and graduates, among which were the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, some leaders of the Philippine Revolution, 3 Philippine presidents, plus famous politicians, economists, lawyers, activists, and artists.

University of San Carlos

Many people think the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila is the oldest university in the country. Actually, it is University of San Carlos in Cebu. It is among Philippine schools established by the erudite Jesuits for higher education. It was founded in 1595 and managed by the Society of the Divine Word beginning in 1935. It has been producing ace graduates and board passers foremost of which are those that make it to the top 10 passers annually of the BAR examinations for aspiring would-be lawyers. It’s Institute of Accounting is also considered among the best in the country.

University of Sto. Tomas

Founded in 1611, the University of Sto. Tomas or UST along Quezon Boulevard in the City of Manila is the oldest university in Metro Manila. It is one of Roman Catholicism’s largest secular educational institution in the world in terms of enrollment. It is known for many college courses but is most popular as among premier medical and surgical Philippine schools since 1871 when its medicine and surgical faculty was founded. It produced 4 Philippine presidents and Jose Rizal also attended it in his early years.

Far Eastern University

When talking of UST it’s almost impossible not to mention its neighbor, the Far Eastern University or FEU. FEU and UST are famous as foremost major Philippine schools in the so-called University Belt area of Manila. It started in 1919 in the Quiapo area as a college offering Liberal Arts. But merging with the Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance, it became a university and transferred location to its present site along Nicanor Reyes Avenue or formerly Morayta in Manila. It was founded in 1928 and incorporated in 1933. It offers various college courses but is famous for its superb College of Medicine where medical board examination top-notchers often come from, and its College of Engineering, Commerce, and Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts.

For competent colleges and universities in Asia, Philippine schools are worth considering.