Northwestern University - Laoag

Infobox University
name = Northwestern University - Laoag


established = 1932
type = Private University
president = Col. Ben A Nicolas
campus = 300 acres (1.2 km²)
city = Laoag City
province = Ilocos Norte
country = Philippines
students = approx 6,0000 +
faculty = 165 Full-time
website = http://www.nwu.edu.ph

Northwestern University is a private non-sectarian educational institution in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. The nine-hectare campus is located near the city proper of Laoag, one of the country's cleanest and peaceful cities. It is a home of around 6,000 students coming from the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur and some municipalities of Cagayan, Apayao, and Abra. NWU is commited to provide a learning environment geared toward excellence and thus, prepare students to be world class citizens.

History

Way back in 1932, an enterprising group of educators composed of Angel Albano, Cresencio Barangan, Maximo Caday, Manuela Romero, Rufina Mariano and Nicolas Nicolas pooled their hard-earned savings to put up and incorporate the first private non-sectarian educational institution in Ilocos Norte known as the Northwestern Academy.

The operation of the school was interrupted in 1945-1948 with the outbreak of World War II. Upon resumption, a 12 room building, the first it can call its own was constructed to accommodate the influx of students. In 1949, the academy became Northwestern College with Apolinario Aquino as President. Opening of new courses followed namely Associate in Surveying, Bachelor of Laws, BS Commerce, Technical Engineering, Industrial Education, Master of Arts in Education, BS Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.

The purchase of a nine-hectare lot and the construction of the Science and Engineering building were landmarks in the institutions growth and progress. With the acquisition of the lot, the dream of the incorporators for the institution to become a university began to take shape. The College continued to offer more programs. The course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Criminology was opened in 1969, followed by the BS in Nursing Program and two-year course in Police Science Technology in 1973. in 1982, fifty years after its founding, Ben A. Nicolas became President of the College and Chairman of the Board of Directors taking over the reins from his father, Nicolas Nicolas who held the distinction of chairman of the board for fifty years. A major breakthrough along with the reforms instituted was the opening of the Computer Center , the first of its kind north of Metro Manila.

Recognizing the need of going through voluntary accreditation as a means of attaining quality education, management applied for accreditation of some of its programs. In a short span of time, five of its programs were accredited, namely: Arts and Sciences, Commerce, Education, Engineering and Criminology.

New course designed to meet the demands of the time were offered in 1990, namely: BS in Accountancy, BS Computer Science, Two-Year Computer Secretarial, One-Year Craftsman (Civil), Practical Electricity, One-Year Computer Technician, BSE major in Library Science.

In 1991, a permit to operate a program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) major in Development Education was issued. Permits to operate a 2-year course in General Radio Communication Operator and Midwifery were also granted the same year followed by the opening of Doctor of Education; Master of Arts in Nursing; Master of Arts in Public Administration; Master in Business Administration; BS in Chemical Engineering; BS in Geodetic Engineering; BS in Marine Engineering; BS in Marine Transportation; BS in Architecture; BS in Mathematics; BS in Industrial Technology; BS in Commerce major in Entrepreneurship; Management Accounting; Banking and Finance; BS in Secretarial Administration; Bachelor of Arts major in Mass Communication; BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management; BS Tourism; BS in Physical Therapy; and Nursery and Kindergarten.

On November 3, 1992 , Northwestern University was granted university status. Jose G. Castro was the first University President.

Reforms continued to be instituted and academic programs were strengthened to prepare the student for global competitiveness in the third millennium. More programs were granted accreditation status. During this time, Ben A. Nicolas resumed the position of President.

Research and Community Extension became the priority thrusts in SY 1998-1999. The University Center for Research was put up.

In 2002, government recognition to offer BS in Medical Technology was issued. In 2003, BS in Industrial Engineering and MS Management Engineering programs were given government recognition. A year after, permit to operate programs leading to the degree in BS Radiologic Technology and BS Environmental Studies were granted.

At the threshold of the 21st century NWU applied and subjected itself to an international auditing agency, the Anglo-Japanese American (AJA) Registrars Inc. Having met the stringent requirements, NWU holds the distinction of being the first educational institution in the province to be granted International Organization for Standardization) ISO-9001/1994 certificate and later granted ISO 9001-2000 certificate.

A major achievement of great significance was the grant of Deregulated Status to the university by the Commission on Higher Education in 2003. It was also in the same year that it forged an international sisterhood relationship with Sangmyung University, Korea.

In 2004, a 35,000 sq. meter lot in Payas, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte and a 14,633 sq. meter lot in Nalbo, Laoag City were acquired that will serve as the future site of the Research and Community Extension Center. A Worship Center and the Alumni House were also constructed in the same year which are indications of Northwestern University s unrelenting efforts in expanding and strengthening its services.

From humble beginnings, Northwestern University has today emerged as a leading and progressive institution of learning in Laoag City and Ilocos Norte. It is committed to provide a learning environment geared towards excellence and thus prepare students to be world-class citizens.

Academics

Centered to its mission/vision as premier educational institution in the North to attain the excellence in teaching, research and extension, Northwestern University has 8 colleges. Each college has specific target plans which guide them in designing programs which are vertically articulated from the undergraduate to graduate studies. The University offers doctorate, masteral, diploma and certificate courses.

The university strengthens the major subjects with academic lectures, practices in the local field and hand-on alongside laboratory courses. These strategies equip its clientele with the application of theories in a global setting under humane and technological healthful living.

List of Colleges:
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/default.asp College of Allied Health Sciences]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/cas.asp College of Arts and Sciences]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/cobe.asp College of Business Education]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/ccje.asp College of Criminal Justice Education]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/ceat.asp College of Engineering Architecture and Technology ]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/vjs.asp Vedasto J. Samonte School of Graduate Studies]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/come.asp College of Maritime Education]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/cte.asp College of Teacher Education ]
[http://www.nwu.edu.ph/Colleges/law.asp College of Law ]

Accreditations

Level 1 Applicant

1. BS Civil Engineeering2. BS Electrical Engineering

Level II Formal

1. Master of Arts in Business Administration2. Master of Arts in Public Administration3. BS Computer Engineering4. BS Hotel and Restaurant Management 5. BS Nursing

Level II 1st Reaccredited Status

1. Master of Arts in Education

Level II 2nd Reaccredited Status

1. BS Criminology2. BS Mechanical Engineering

Level II 3rd Reaccredited Status

1. Liberal Arts major in Political Science2. Liberal Arts major in English3. Liberal Arts major in Economics4. Commerce major in Management Accounting5. Commerce major in Entrepreneur6. Commerce major in Banking and Finance7. Commerce major in Business Management8. Bachelor in Elementary Education9. Bachelor in Secondary Education

Accrediting Body: Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation(PACUCOA)

Research

Unlocking the unknown of the universe and finding out answers of every problem that affect peoples lives has been regarded by educationists as the role of research. Hence, Higher Educational institutions (HEIs) are tasked to generate and disseminate knowledge through research activities.

The Higher Education Act of 1994 (R.A.7722), which established the Commission on Higher Education, mandates the Commission to: (1) formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities, programs and research on/in higher education; (2) recommend to the executive and legislative branches priorities and grants on higher education and research; (3) develop criteria for allocating additional resources for research; and (4) direct or redirect purposive research by institutions of higher learning to meet the needs of agro-industrialization and development. The Commissions Long Term Higher Education development Plan also states that "Research priority disciplines and key areas shall be pursued not only for improving instructional programs but also for advancing inventions and technologies," (NHERA, 1998-2007).

Another important justification for the conduct of research in higher education institutions rests on the fact that research generally precedes development. The economic, social, cultural and political advancements have their basis on research. The Commissions four (4) major thrusts of quality and excellence, access and equity, relevance and responsiveness, and efficiency and effectiveness are seen to result in the generation of technology-directed, innovative/creative, locally responsive and globally competitive research.

University Center for Research

In line with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Research Agenda, the Northwestern University administration created the University Center for Research (UCR) on April 16, 1998 through the initiative of Prof. Evelyn V. Baraoidan who served as the first Director. The creation of the University Center for Research completed the triad functions of Higher Educational Institutions, which are instruction, research, and extension.

VisionThe University Center for Research is envisioned to develop research-oriented faculty, staff and students who can conduct quality research projects that generate outputs which would enable the Filipinos to meet the challenges of the new millennium, locally and globally.

MissionThe University Center for Research is committed in searching for new knowledge and wisdom to keep abreast with constant changes happening in the world. This keeps the NWU community to be dynamic, hence the global attainment of academic excellence and global competitiveness.

Community Extension

It is in this light that the university has the CEC. This office acts as the university’s arm in directly reaching out to the people in the community who need help – technical, financial, and moral - to improve their living conditions.

This mandate is carried out by means of programs, like: training and non-formal education for NGO’s, POs, and individuals. This is done through non-degree training programs, extending technical assistance, and extending financial assistance, if possible.

Through extension, the university shall contribute to the development of empowered citizenry capable of making rational decisions pertaining to the improvement of their livelihood, work productively and efficiently, and be a confident part of the mainstream society in their community.

VisionThrough its Community Extension Center, Northwestern University shall play an instrumental role in helping communities in need become productive and capable of making informed decisions for the improvement of their socio-economic well-being.

MissionNorthwestern University, through the CEC shall make available to the intended target communities its resources, intellectual capabilities, and technology bank. These maybe shared or loaned to induce awareness, higher productivity and efficiencies of the target clientele. It shall also be its duty to induce changes in the socio – economic aspects of their lives to give them a more balanced existence.

Integrated Agricultural Development

Its BeginningsThe university, known for its pioneering spirit, is never wanting in ideas to tap its rich human resources so that when it acquired farm lots in Brgy. Payas in nearby San Nicolas town and in Brgy Nalbo in Laoag, a few hundred meters from the campus, it tasked a select group of the academic sector to explore and improve the site in a traditional yet innovative way. Both barangays are rich with Mother Nature’s blessings- rich soil and lush vegetation

An Integrated Farming Project would thus become the core of the university’s innovative venture using the resources already available at the 1.5 hectare farm lot in Brgy. Nalbo such as livestock and poultry houses and several fruit bearing trees were also planted in the area.

Research and Extension CenterAs the university continues to focus the IFP project, boosting its viability, the project easily become the center of research and extension of the university.

At present, a series of studies on the appropriate use of feed sources, zero waste management, organic farming technologies, multi-cropping, food production and processing and livestock feed formulation are being conducted at the site.

Publications

The various publications aim to promote Northwestern University and its different colleges and offices among the faculty, employees, students, affiliates and linkages and also to the general public by disseminating relevant information.

THE REVIEW
The official college student publication of Northwestern University which comes out in a broadsheet type. It encourages creativeness in writing and serves as a training ground and laboratory for future journalist. It is also a means of strengthening ethical values and developing moral character and personal discipline among students. It is also annually supplemented with a literary folio titled FLAME.

GAZETTE
This is the bi-annual news magazine of the university featuring the newsworthy, timely and relevant information. It serves as a vehicle to report to the community the latest news and events such as university breakthroughs, projects and programs, faculty achievements, and university affairs. The Gazette is also supplemented by a newsletter types which comes out once a month.

BALINTATAW
This is the official high school student publication of Northwestern University. This informational, interpretative, educational, and entertaining publication comes out in a broadsheet type.

=NU RESEARCH JOURNAL=
The annual interdisciplinary journal featuring worthwhile research works of the faculty, personnel, and graduate school students of the University.

External links

* [http://www.nwu.edu.ph Northwestern University - Laoag]