University of Northern Philippines

Infobox University
name = University of Northern Philippines
motto = "Honesty, Humility, Hardwork"


established = June 19, 1965
type = State University
president = Lauro B. Tacbas, Ph.D
campus =
city = Vigan City
province = Ilocos Sur
country = Philippines
colors = green, blue, gold
students = 16,996
faculty = 778
website = [http://www.unp.edu.ph www.unp.edu.ph]

The University of Northern Philippines (UNP) is a state university located in Barangay Tamag, in the City of Vigan in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. It is the first and oldest state university in Northern Luzon, tracing its roots from as early as 1906, which is even older than the University of the Philippines by two years. It is one of two state universities and/or colleges operating in Ilocos Sur, the other being the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College--an unusual situation, given that in the Philippines there should only be one state college or university per province.

It also has a branch in Candon City, the Candon Community College. It has two other campuses: one in Sinait, which serves as a training ground for future foresters; and a future one in Quimmarayan, Santo Domingo, which will cater to the agricultural and fishery courses. It also has a research station in Nalvo, Santa Maria, for the breeding of sea urchins.

The University is particularly known for first admitting students from Thailand, especially to the Graduate School. It currently accepts students from Nepal for medicine studies.

Its motto is "Honesty, Humility, Hard Work."

History

The University began as the Vigan High School (present-day Ilocos Sur National High School) in 1906. Its shop department was converted into a separate intermediate level school, named the Vigan Trade School, in 1910. It opened its high school in 1927, and produced its first graduates in 1931, when it evolved into the Ilocos Sur Trade School. They were still located back inside the Vigan town proper back then. Two of the buildings still exist today--one being used as a warehouse for a large construction supply firm; the other is now the location of the Vigan City Trade Center.

Then President Manuel Luis Quezon converted the Ilocos Sur Trade School in 1941 though the help of then Assemblyman Benito Soliven and then Governor Pedro Singson Reyes. However, World War II began, which halted its implementation.

In 1951 the Ilocos Sur Trade School became the Northern Luzon School of Arts and Trades (NLSAT) by virtue of Republic Act 547. However, Republic Act 2700, or the General Appropriations Act of 1960, converted it back to being Ilocos Sur School of Arts and Trades (ISSAT).

It proved temporary, however, when, on June 19, 1965, Republic Act 4449, authored by then Congressman Floro S. Crisologo, was approved, thus converting ISSAT into the University of Northern Philippines. It then began implementing its Charter on August 14, 1965. Crisologo is recognized as the founder of the University.

The Candon Community College (CCC) was incorporated into the University in 1989 through Republic Act 6744, though the efforts of then Congressman Eric D. Singson. It acts as a semi-autonomous unit.

In the late 1980s construction of the College of Health Sciences building, the tallest building in the entire university, was started, and was finished in 1997. It currently houses all of its nursing- and medicine-related courses.

Currently under construction is the University Infirmary (due for completion in 2009) and the Santo Domingo campus in Barangay Quimmarayan, which will house its agricultural courses.

Last June 24, 2008, the university's FM radio station, dwNP, was relaunched. It occupies the 100.5 MHz frequency, moving from its old, weak 88.5 MHz frequency.

Presidents of the University

*Dr. Dedicacion Agatep-Reyes (founding president)
*Dr. Romualdo Tadena
*Dr. Dorotea Campos-Filart
*Dr. Lauro Tacbas (current)

University Student Publications

College departments in the University have their own publications, like the RX LADDER (College of Health Sciences), NIGHTINGALE (College of Nursing), NEWSCAS (College of Arts and Sciences), and the RABBI (College of Teacher Education). The "Tandem" was the Official Student Publication of the University until 2007. In 2008, it was replaced by "The Blazer."

Tandem's 31 glorious years as a publication has been marred by both advancements and scandals. Tandem reached its first golden age in 1991-1993 when Tandem became fully independent from faculty or administration interference. The second golden age came in 1998-2001, when the following were attained: acquisition of a new office, birth of the Tandem Literary Folio (which later evolved into into a collection entitled "DANGADANG," which means "struggle" in Ilocano), the first ever Tandem Week celebration, and the promotion of campus journalism through seminars and editorial sponsorships to various national and international events. Other notable years for Tandem were in 1993 and 1995 during the administrations of Rommel Rabo and Hansen Apilado.

Tandem Editors-in-Chief since 1991

*Neyo Mario Valdez : 1991-1993
*Rommel Rabo : 1993-1995
*Hansen Apilado : 1995-1997
*Arlaine Manzano : 1997-1998
*Francis Pasion Reotutar : 1998-2001
*Jermaine Pe Benito : 2001-2002
*Lloyd Ulanimo : 2002-2003
*Rhannybelle Urbis : 2003-2005

In November 2007, after a major corruption scandal involving its self-proclaimed, then "Editor-in-Chief" Ma. Criselda Diocena, the student body decided, through a referendum, to replace "Tandem" with "The Blazer."

For the independent college publications, only the RX LADDER publishes its own literary folio, entitled "ADDANG" (Ilocano, "Steps," reflecting the stepladder curriculum of the College it represents).

tudent Council Presidents (Student Regents) with Lead Vision Statements *Recorded*

*Hon. Julio Alegre - (Genuine Leadership)
*Hon. Rommel Ragunton - (Gender Equality in the Campus)
*Hon. Erwin C. Rallojay - (Infrastructure Development)
*Hon. Sherwin G. de Vera - (Student's Rights and Welfare)
*Hon. Emilio Arnold L. Torricer - (Student's Empowerment)
*Hon. Warren Rafal - (Genuine Service to the Studentry)
*Hon. Albert Lagrimas - (Militant Leadership)

Note: In 2000, Julio Alegre's administration was marred by money-laundering scandals. Mr. Alegre was forced to drop out from the school and did not graduate therefrom. No formal charges were initiated by the school. It is believed that Mr. Alegre laundered close to half a million pesos in student council development funds.

The Academic Units of the University

*College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
*College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA)
*College of Engineering (CE)
*College of Architecture (CA)
*College of Fine Arts (CFA)
*College of Health Sciences (CHS) - offers the Stepladder nursing curriculum (one of the first in the Philippines), originally intended as a feeder program to the School of Medicine
*College of Nursing (CN) - offers the traditional (AHSE) nursing curriculum*School of Medicine - part of the College of Health Sciences, it is actually Level V of the Stepladder Curriculum
*College of Technology (CTech)
*College of Communication and Information Technology (CCIT) - formerly Computer Center, and formerly under CTech
*College of Criminology (Crim)
*College of Teacher Education (CTE)
*UNP Graduate School - the only graduate school in Ilocos Sur, and the first (and so far only) Level III-accredited graduate school in the Philippines (by the AACCUP)
*School of Law (Bar Exams passing percentage for 2007 is 14.6%)
*College of Social Work (CSW)
*Laboratory Schools (LS) - elementary and high school, connected with the CTE for in-campus practice teaching
*Open University
*Candon Community College (UNP-CCC)

External links

*http://www.unp.edu.ph/ - the University's Official Website