Baguio Central University

Infobox_University
name = Baguio Central University
established = 1945
type = Private Non-sectarian
president = Dr. Margarita Fernandez
city = Baguio City
province = Benguet
country = Philippines
campus = Urban
nickname = BCU
address = No. 18 Bonifacio Street, Baguio City, Benguet 2600
tel. no. = [phone]

"'Baguio Central University

History

From a mere vocational school to a university.It was in 1945, when the school opened its door to individuals who wanted to have a vocational training. Immediately after World War I, the vocational school named as Centro Academy started its operation with the initiative and dedication of the late Godofredo Fernandez and his wife Margarita J. Fernandez.

In 1949, a high school academic program was added to the vocational school. The school was then named as Centro Industrial School. The secondary curriculum was offered as an alternative for vocational training.

With an aim to provide a wider scope of educational training and with the need to meet the demand of the growing region, the vocational school, which was under a single proprietorship was turned into a private corporation. From 1951-1953, the institution offered college courses leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Secondary and Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Bachelor of Science in Commerce. The Bachelor of Law and Engineering courses were offered in 1953 and Master of Arts in Education in 1955. For successive years,the institution has undergone expansion in its academic programs. Between 1971-1977, there were other courses that were offered these are: Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Doctor of Education, Master of Public and Business Administration. It was during these years of development when the institution was named as Eastern Philippines Colleges and later renamed as the Lyceum of Baguio (1972- 1977) before it became Baguio Central University (1977-present).

In 1979, Dr. Margarita J. Fernandez became the fi rst president of the university.In 1985, a two-year course in Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management was opened. The few number of preschools in Baguio City drove BCU to put up its own preschool in 1987; thus, the Growing-Up Learning Center stood. Its programs are geared toward experiential learning - where learning is fun and fulfi lling.

The changes in the society and the continuous advancement in technology brought challenges to the institution in the early 90�s, thus short degree courses that are technologyoriented were offered. These courses include a year course in Computer Technology, Associate Degree in Computer Science, and Associate Degree in Computer Secretarial and eventually in 1993, the four-year course in Computer Science was offered. It was also on the same year when the doctorate program in philosophy was added to the curriculum.

In 1996, with the operation of its hospital, the Sto. Niňo Jesus Medical Center, the university started medical science courses such as the degrees in Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Midwifery along with these are Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

In 1998, the Associate in Health Science was included in the medical courses. The Pio H. Joven Research Center Inc. was established and BCU extended its services outside the Philippines. It established a sisterhood ties with Presbyterian General Assembly Theological College and Seminary in Korea.

Baguio Central University had lived and continued to soar to a high endeavor through libertad (liberty), justicia (justice), veritas (truth), and equitas (equity).

Throughout the years, Baguio Central University has moved forward with the administration of Dr. Margarita Fernandez. Its expansion covers the academic programs as well as the physical structures of the school.

In 2001, the institution responded to the demand of the global market, the sixmonth caregiver program was added to its curricular offerings. In its pursuit for quality education, the institution voluntarily submitted itself to the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation in 2002 for the accreditation of its various programs in the Colleges of Liberal Arts, Education, Public Administration, and Nursing. On the same year, BCU implemented the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program.

ETEEAP is an educational scheme, which recognizes knowledge, skills, and prior learning obtained by individuals from his or her non-formal and informal experiences. Through its equivalency competence standard and comprehensive assessment system, BCU was able to produce graduates who are at present connected with the different government and private agencies.

Pursuant to Executive Order 330, the Commission on Higher Education has given the certificate of authorization to BCU to accredit, provide equivalency, and to confer academic degree in BS Education, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences, Master of Arts in Education, Master in Public and Business Administration, Doctor of Education, and Doctor of Philosophy.

Baguio Central University has three campuses. The main campus is located along the university belt - Bonifacio St., Baguio City. It houses the administration office and the Colleges of Criminology, Business Management, and Engineering.

Other Colleges occupy the Magsaysay Campus. These colleges include the Allied Medical Courses like: Nursing, Midwifery, and Medical Technology; Colleges of Liberal Arts and Public Administration, Education and the High School Department.

Situated in the P. Burgos Campus are the Sto. Niňo Jesus Medical Center, Pio H. Joven Research Center, College of Physical Therapy, school for the Caregiver Program, and the College of Medicine, Growing-Up Learning Center, BCU�s Preschool, and Elementary Department.

Baguio Central University has also established its link to various organizations. At present, the university is a member of Baguio Educational Athletic League (BEAL), Baguio Educational Council (BEC), Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA), Cordillera Administrative Regional Tertiary Educational Sports Association (CARTESA), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Coordinating Council for Private Educational Association (COCOPEA), and American Studies Association (ASA).

For 53 years, BCU has always been there to provide education for all.

Academics

Graduate School

The graduate school of Baguio Central University offers the following courses: Doctor of Education, Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts in Education, Master in Public Administration, and Master in Business Administration.

The program endeavors to develop excellence in the students in their ability to create knowledge through refl ection and research, to develop commitment to and proficiency in the practice of the art and/or science in their fi eld of profession, and to prepare the students for the challenges and problems of leadership.

The primary contributions of the graduate school to the community are found in the students who have achieved high levels of competence as evidenced by their completion of the program and the positions they now occupy. A number of them holds key positions in the areas of politics, business, education, and military among others.

College of Education

The pioneering courses offered by the institution during the 1950�s include courses in the College of Education. The College aims to produce effi cient and effective teachers who are well-informed of new discoveries and development and who are equipped with general and professional orientation in their fi eld of specialization.

The College has been equipped with professionals who are trained in their own field. And such training is continuous in order to make the faculty members cope with the vast changes taking place in the academe.

For several years, it has maintained a good number of students and it has produced several teachers who are now distributed in all parts of the country and even outside the Philippines.

College of Nursing

The demand for nurses all over the world has contributed to the gradual increase of enrolment in the College of Nursing at Baguio Central University. The College aims to produce graduates who are committed, competent, compassionate, and caring in responding to the health needs of every individual, family, and community in any work setting without discrimination.

The faculty members of the College of Nursing are committed to provide quality education through updated curriculum and adequate facilities, to nurture the development of an individual, to inculcate responsibility, and to develop the students to have an advanced knowledge through research work.

The students of the college are exposed to different medical missions where they render services to the adopted communities. A recent enrichment in the students� clinical exposures and nursing experiences is the mental health promotion in the community level. This aspect has been given attention in order to support the hospitals where the student-nurses are affiliated.

College of Medicine

In 2003, the College of Medicine was opened. The College is considered to be the second in the Cordillera Administrative Region. The newly opened College has the following innovative features: electronic library, a reading library, a skills laboratory, model clinics, experimental physiology laboratory, histology laboratory, small group learning units, multimedia lecture hall, and full-function conference room.

The college employs the traditional teaching and learning integrated with experiential method, with extensive used of the high tech equipment and facilities. Its ideal number of students per class for one-on-one facilitation is (1-10). The college boasts its expert facilitators and resource lecturers in the basic and clinical sciences.

Simultaneous with the opening of the College of Medicine is the opening of two other colleges offering Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.

Other Colleges

* College of Criminology
* College of Business Management
* College of Allied Health
* College of Physical Therapy
* College of Liberal Arts and Public Administration
* College of Engineering

Degrees Offered

* Doctor of Education G.R. No. 32 s. 1975 - DRO
* PhD G.R. No. heD-36 s. 1993 - DRO
* MA in Education G.R. No. 326 s. 1962 - DRO
* Master in Business Administration G.R. No. 047 s. 1983 - DRO
* Master in Public Administration G.R. No. 046 s. 1983 - DRO
* Bachelor of Arts G.R. No. 539 s. 1955 - DRO
* Bachelor of Elementary Education G.R. No. 216 s. 1959 - DRO
* Bachelor of Secondary Education G.R. No. 538 s. 1959 - DRO
* BS in Accountancy G.R. No. heD-15 s. 1993 - DRO
* BS in Civil Engineering G.R. No. 84 s. 1971 - DRO
* BS in Commerce G.R. No. 537 s. 1955 - DRO
* BS in Computer Science G.R. No. 12 s. 1996 - DRO
* BS in Criminal Justice System G.R. No. s. 2003 - DRO
* BS in Geodetic Engineering G.R. No. heD-37 s. 1994 - DRO
* BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management G.R. No. 33 s. 1996 - DRO
* BS in Nursing G.R. No. 14 s. 1996 - DRO
* BS in Office Administration G.R. No. 014 s. 1995 - DRO
* BS in Physical Therapy G.R. No. 191 s. 1998 - DRO
* BS in Public Administration G.R. No. 136 s. 1987 - DRO
* BS in Tourism G.R. No. 15 s. 1996 - DRO
* Doctor of Medicine G.R. No. s. 2003 - DRO
* Associate in Computer Technology G.R. No. heD-26 s. 1993 - DRO
* Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management G.R. No. (R-I) he-17 s. 1986 - DRO
* Certificate in Computer Secretarial G.R. No. heD-32 s. 1993 - DRO
* Graduate in Midwifery G.R. No. 023 s. 1995 - DRO [Commission on Higher Education. [http://www.ched.gov.ph/hei_dir/HEIDirJan2008/CARapr01.pdf "Higher Education Directory, Cordillera Administrative Regions"] . Department of Education, Philippines. Retrieved on 2008-7-22.]

Awards

NSTPFor successive years, BCU ROTC carried on a good performance during the conduct of Regional Annual Administrative Performance Evaluation. It has received plaque of merit and certifi cate of distinction for being the champion. It has also garnered other prestigious awards. In the Philippine Army Regional Oratorical Contest, Cadet Laury Binay-an topped the competition last year.

Meanwhile, BCU CWTS group got the 4th place in the Ist Kabalikat Awards in STET-VIP-CWTS (Students Transformation and Enrichment for Truth- Values Integration and Promotion- Civic Welfare Training Service) in 2003.

Athletics

Athletes have always been taking their part in local, national and international games. They garnered medals in their tournament. Last year, the Wushu-sanchu team of the university took the gold and silver medals making Marissa Inewe and Mary grace Wakit joined the international game in Macao China and the 22nd Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Publications

Student-journalists took along with them awards in the different events where they participated during the annual Press Conferences, both Regional and Luzonwide. For two consecutive years, BCU�s sports writers bagged the 4th place in sports writing in English in the Luzonwide Press Conference.

OTHER LOCAL PARTICIPATION
The linkage of BCU with the different associations made its students participate in the local competitions. And among the awards they obtained are 4th in DTI Quiz bee, 2nd in essay writing, 2nd in slogan contest, and 4th place during the accountancy week among others.

Leonardo Aquino, one of its students founded the Student Catholic Action in Baguio City, thus he was appointed as the fi rst director of the organization.

BCU students don�t just prove themselves in the extra curricular activities, their academic performance can also be seen in the result of their board examination and the various positions they now hold in politics, business, teacher education, medical service, and government service.

References

External links