About UA&P

The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) is a private, not-for-profit institution of higher learning. It traces its beginnings to the Center for Research and Communication (CRC), which was established in 1967 as a private think tank that conducted research and offered graduate courses in economics and management. It gradually expanded its educational activities to other fields. In 1995, it was granted university status by the Commission on Higher Education. Since then, it has been known as the University of Asia and the Pacific.

UA&P, located in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, currently has a population of around 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students. There are around 130 full-time faculty members and 200 part-time faculty members. So far, the University has produced a total of around 12,000 alumni, including those who graduated from the Center for Research and Communication.

The University has long-term plans for a multi-campus system offering various fields of specialization and emphasizing professional competence founded on a strong liberal arts education. At present, it has the following academic units:

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
School of Economics (SEC)
School of Education and Human Development (SED)
School of Social Sciences, Law, and Governance (SLG)
School of Management (SMN)
School of Media and Marketing (SCM)
School of Sciences and Engineering (SSE)

In its institutional programs and activities, UA&P puts due emphasis on the individual, the family, the community, and the world. Each unit of the University thus strives to be a center of excellence, particularly in three areas: values formation, people development, and research and communication. These are the hallmarks of UA&P as an educational institution.

UA&P Milestones

Begin Your Journey

Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas and a small group of young professionals began the spadework for the Center for Research and Communication (CRC), a private economic and business think tank that they hoped would one day become a full- blown university.

1967

The group formally established the Center for Research and Communication (CRC), a think tank with core operations in research, communication, and training programs in industrial economics. It catered to private sector businesses by analyzing developments in the business economic environment and translating their implications on business strategy. CRC was officially inaugurated at its second site: 1607 Bocobo Street, Malate, Manila.

1968

The Southeast Asian Science Foundation, Inc. (SEASFI) officially adopted CRC as an institutional project.

1969

In a private meeting with Opus Dei founder Msgr. Josemaría Escrivá in Mexico, Dr. Estanislao and Dr. Villegas were tasked to expand CRC’s academic horizons internationally. CRC offered its first graduate program leading to a Master of Science degree in Industrial Economics.

1970

The first batch of Master of Science in Industrial Economics (MSIE) students graduated.

1972

The Strategic Business Economics Program was established.

1974

CRC started offering Masters in Economic Research, which was the forerunner of the Applied Business Economics Program.

1976

CRC moved to Ortigas Center, Pasig, its formal and non-formal programs in economics already established.

1982

Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, then prelate of Opus Dei, reminded CRC of the challenge of St. Josemaría Escrivá to consider putting up a university at the soonest time possible owing to its greater influence on society.

The Institute of Development Education (forerunner of the School of Education and Human Development) was established.

1987

CRC’s College of Arts and Sciences (CRC-CAS) accepted its first batch of 158 undergraduate students.

1989

The first Equatorial Rites were held.

1991

The Sancta Maria Stella Orientis Oratory was inaugurated.

1992

The first batch of CRC-CAS students graduated.

The School of Economics, School of Education (now named School of Education and Human Development), and Center for Management were established.

CRC submitted its application for university status to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

1993

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approved CRC’s conversion into the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).

26 June 1995

UA&P was formally established by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

15 August 1995

UA&P put up a straight five-year master’s program (combined undergraduate and graduate program).

1995

Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao was installed as UA&P’s first President.

November 1995

UA&P held its first University Graduation Rites.
The School of Management was established.

1996

The APEC Communications Building (ACB) was completed.

1997

Mr. Mario D. Camacho was installed as the second President of the University.

November 1997

The University’s Honorary Grand Chancellor, Bishop Javier Echevarria, visited UA&P.

1998

Dr. Jose Maria G. Mariano was installed as the third President of the University.

November 2000

The first Eucharistic Procession was held.

2005

The School of Communication was established.

2006

Bishop Javier Echevarria visited UA&P for the second time.

The School of Education was renamed the School of Education and Human Development in line with its three interrelated areas of faculty concentration: education, psychology, and human capital development.

2008

The School of Sciences and Engineering was established.

2009

The School of Law and Governance was established.
The School of Education and Human Development established the Child Development and

Education (CDE) Center as a preschool, teaching laboratory, and research center in early childhood education.

UA&P became the first university in the Philippines to publish a sustainability report following the reporting framework of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).

2013

The Parking and Sports Building (PSB) was completed.

2014

Dr. Winston Conrad B. Padojinog was installed as the fourth President of the

University.

June 2015

UA&P put up a six-year integrated university program (combined junior college/ senior high school, undergraduate and graduate program).

CHED designated the Teacher Education Program of UA&P as a Center of Development.

The Institute for Marriage and Family Development was established under the Center for Research and Communication.

2016

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officially granted Autonomous Status to UA&P.

The Institute of Law was established under the School of Law and Governance.

The University celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

2017

The Institute of Law of the School of Law and Governance produced its first batch of seven graduates for the Juris Doctor program.

The PhD in Business Economics program, jointly offered by the School of Economics and the School of Management, was launched.

The conversion of the former Multi-Purpose Court (MPC) to the University Student Commons (USC) was completed.

2018

The ALB Library expansion project was completed.

2019

UA&P was placed in the 2020 edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Impact Rankings based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

2020

The Dr. Placido L. Mapa, Jr. Scholarship Endowment was created.

2021

The School of Law and Governance was renamed the School of Social Sciences, Law, and Governance to recognize the valuable and indispensable role of the social sciences in the profound understanding and effective practice of law and governance.

The University created CORE or Continuing Real-Word Education: a brand of programs that are curated, relevant, and responsive to the market’s current needs.

2022

The University’s Honorary Grand Chancellor, Msgr. Fernando Ocáriz, visited UA&P. The School of Communication was renamed the School of Media and Marketing to better

reflect the school’s core offerings and clarify its scope.

2023