University of Iloilo

History

The University of Iloilo started as the Iloilo City Colleges (ICC). It was established in June 1947 by the Hon. Fernando H. Lopez, then mayor of Iloilo City, who was imbued with the spirit of unselfish service to the youth. In this task of organizing a college, he was inspired by his wife Doña Mariquit and his brother Don Eugenio. A number of professionals and experienced educators who shared his vision of putting up a school not only for the rich but also for the poor and the middle class joined him in this venture.

The first classes were held in quonset huts with nipa roofs, sawali and bamboo walls, and mud floors. These makeshift buildings accommodated ambitious young men and women who had just suffered from the aftermath of World War II. There were two campuses: the Iloilo Unit, which housed the Colleges of Dentistry, Pharmacy, Commerce, Liberal Arts, Law and the High School Department; and La Paz Unit where the Colleges of Normal Education, Engineering, and the High School and Elementary Departments were located. Dr. Gabino Tabuñar served as the first President of the Iloilo City Colleges. Upon his resignation in 1954, Hon. Fernando H. Lopez, then Vice President of the Philippines, assumed the Presidency with Jose Jimoga-on, Sr. as controller and Miss Loreto J. Ledesma as Administrative Officer.

The years brought changes to Iloilo City Colleges. To meet the challenges and the needs of a growing and increasingly diverse student population, the administration phased out some courses and introduced new ones. Then a series of construction projects to replace the dilapidated buildings began. The first to be constructed was the Don Benito Lopez Building, which is now occupied by the Colleges of Business Administration and Criminal Justice. The Don Fernando Lopez Hall was also constructed as an annex to Doña Presentacion Lopez Building, which the Basic Education Department now occupies. In the main campus were erected the Doña Mariquit Lopez Building for the College of Education. The Don Eugenio Lopez Building accommodated the College of Business Administration, and the Graduate School. The Queen Theater was renovated to accommodate the University Auditorium on the second floor and the College of Law Library on the ground floor. The College of Law Building was constructed on the corner of Rizal and Iznart Streets and the ground floor became the University Chapel.

Across the High School Department, on the corner of Mapa and Rizal Streets, rose the Doña Pacita Building, now known as the Engineering Building for the university’s College of Engineering and Computer Studies.

In 1963, the Iloilo City colleges opened its Graduate School for the professional growth of teachers and administrators. Three years later the speech laboratories were put up for the undergraduate and the graduate language classes.

In 1966, the College of Agriculture was opened at Ungka, Pavia. Simultaneously, the College of Criminal Justice was opened in the main campus. The College of Agriculture was later phased out due to the decline in enrolment. The College of Criminal Justice has gained popularity in Western Visayas with its modern laboratory facilities like the infra-red microscope, the lie-detector, the questioned document kit, the interrogation and investigation room, practice court room, target range, and its latest acquisition – the paralyzer shield.

On December 17, 1968, the Iloilo City Colleges was granted the university status and became the 32nd university in the Philippines.

In 1971, the university closed the doors of its high school in La Paz, commonly known as the University of Iloilo, La Paz Unit.

In 1972, the University Administration purchased the Philippine Women’s College in Jaro. This was converted into the Don Benito Lopez Hospital. In the main campus two buildings were later constructed to accommodate the initial enrollment for the College of Nursing. Courses like the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and the Bachelor of Science in Social Work, which were then offered by the Philippine Women’s College, were transferred to the main campus. These courses and the Bachelor of Science in Psychology, which was offered in 1974, were included in the course offerings in the College of [Arts and Sciences. The expansion of the College of Arts and Sciences led to the construction of the Science Building. This building also shelters the University Gymnasium, Audio-Visual Center, the I-Net Laboratory, and the Natural Science Department.

In June 1989, a three-story building was constructed behind the mini-park, connecting the Don Eugenio Lopez Building to the Don Benito Lopez Building. This was designed to facilitate the transfer of the College of Nursing to the main campus.

In 1991, the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports acknowledged the University of Iloilo as an Excellent School for the College of Criminology, now the College of Criminal Justice. In March 1993, a certificate of recognition was awarded to the College of Criminology.

During the Academic year 1993-1994, the College of Education opened the Pre-School Education Program while the College of Arts and Sciences offered Mass Communication as another major field in the Bachelor of Arts Program. The university mini-radio station was then constructed for the training of students majoring in Mass Communication.

On May 26, 1993, upon the death of Don Fernando, Hon. Alberto J. Lopez took over as President of the university.

On June 25, 1993, a month after the death of Don Fernando H. Lopez, the FHL Museum dedicated to his memory, was inaugurated. This has become a part of the University‘s Learning Resource Center.

In the same year, the Ungka Campus became the site of the Marine Engineering classrooms with a modern SOLAS Training Center.

On September 1, 1993, the Colleges of Law, Arts and Sciences, and Education were granted Level II accreditation status by the PAASCU.

In June 1994, the University of Iloilo Graduate School offered the Master in Business Administration program to accommodate business executives who desire to grow professionally.

In 1998, the University of Iloilo Graduate School was granted CHED recognition for its Master in Public Administration Program. In the same year, the University entered into a contract with Net Curricula Incorporated in order to be among the pioneer schools in the country to integrate technology in classroom instruction in all levels – elementary, high school, and college. During the First Semester of 1998-1999, the Net Curricula installed industry-grade network and telecommunication facilities including structured cabling, branded workstations and servers, high-resolution presentation equipment, and licensed software.

In May 1999, the BS Marine Engineering of the College of Engineering passed the CHED evaluation for Maritime Education program.

In AY 2000-2001, the College of Engineering program was awarded the Certificate of Compliance with the requirements set forth by ISO 9002:1994 by the ABS Quality Evaluation Incorporated, applicable to the “Provision of Maritime Education in accordance with CHED Rules and STCW ’95 Convention.” This certificate of full compliance included the University of Iloilo as among the schools in the country that are authorized to offer the Maritime Education Program. In August 2005, the B.S. Marine Engineering program was granted government recognition.

The University has also strengthened its Community Extension Program through its implementing arm, the Community Extension Services Center (CESC).

Initially in 1999, the CESC served only one Barangay in the City of Iloilo and two others in the Province of Guimaras. Its program components include educational assistance, training, livelihood and environmental projects, tutorial services, and values-oriented classes. Since then, it has increased its community partners from the original two barangays to seven and adopted three schools. To sustain its existing projects, the CESC has established linkages with local and international organizations. To date, the CESC links actively with the ERDA Foundation, Department of Education, Bureau of Nonformal Education, and the City Planning Office. Internationally, the University’s CESC is in partnership with ERDA-UNICEF, Australian Aid (AUSAID), and the International Marinelife Alliance. It is also a member of the Iloilo City Task Force on Child Labor.

In the second semester of AY 2002-2003, the College of Criminology launched the BS in Criminology-ETEEAP (Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program) as a CHED-NAPOLCOM deputized HEI. This BS in Criminology-ETEEAP is especially offered by the University of Iloilo to enable the regular members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) the opportunity to obtain college education. It is also open to regular members of the BJMP, BFP, P&PA, NBI, PPA, and members of government and private institutions with Criminology-related functions.

In 2008, the university was acquired by PHINMA. It became part of PEN or PHINMA Education Network in April 2009. Its sister schools are Araullo University, Cagayan de Oro College, and University of Pangasinan.

Today, the University of Iloilo stands stronger than ever. It continues to enlighten the minds and shape the ideas of thousands of young Filipinos, the most fitting and lasting monument to its founders who had dreamed and worked hard to make this Institution a center of learning for everyone.

The old university seal

The old seal of the University of Iloilo has twelve continuous undulating and well-defined convex curves. Each curve or wave represents the twelve schools and colleges that composed the institution at the time it was granted the University status on December 17, 1968. These were the (1) laboratory School Unit, (2) High School Unit (Day Class), (3) High School Unit (Evening Class), (4) College of Arts & Sciences, (5) College of Commerce and Accountancy, (6) College of Criminology, (7) College of Education, (8) College of Engineering, (9) College of Agriculture, (10)Department of Nursing, (11) College of Law, and (12) School of Graduate Studies. Each wave exerts a potent force in its respective field of endeavor, creating an individually progressive sense of movement. The reverse concave curves give the cohesive atmosphere and represent the flexibility to adjust to ever-changing conditions.

The word Excelsior is the institution's inspiring force. The right hands of a man and a woman represent action in a coeducation environment. The lighted torch stands for the means by which truth and knowledge is achieved, with Truth as the ultimate goal, of the search.

The two stars represent the Lopez brothers, Don Eugenio and Hon. Fernando Lopez, who both conceived this institution especially intended for the poor and the middle class. July 1, 1947 was its foundation year. The style used in its lettering is classically symbolic of dignity. The colors green and gold are the University colors; the green symbolizing the youthful vigor of a young and growing institution and the gold, the enduring luster and splendor of the ideals for which its stands.

Academics

University of Iloilo offers the following academic programs through its various academic units (list as of May 2014):

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Information Technology Education

College of Engineering and Maritime Education

College of Law

College of Criminal Justice Education

Basic Education Department

Notable people

Notable people of the university include:

Sister schools