University of San Agustin: A Legacy of Excellence in Education
Iloilo City, which was given the moniker “La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad” (Most Loyal and Noble City) by Queen Regent Maria Cristina of Spain in October 1889, is home to the University of San Agustin (USA). It is situated on the Western Visayas Islands’ island of Panay.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the University is the first and only Augustinian university. It belongs to the ASEACCU, which stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities. The University of San Agustin provides the full range of educational services, including primary, secondary, and postgraduate education. It is an Augustinian and Filipino educational institution that seeks to form the members of its academic community in Virtus et Scientia to serve Western Visayas, the Philippines, and the world. The Spanish Augustinian missionaries of the organization of Saint Augustine (San Agustin), the oldest religious Roman Catholic organization in the Philippines, established the University of San Agustin in 1904 as a preparatory school for boys. It was incorporated in 1917 and changed its name to Colegio de San Agustin de Iloilo.
San Agustin became the first university in the Western Visayas region (Region VI), which is made up of the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental, in March 1953 after achieving university status. Currently, it provides the full spectrum of educational services, including law, short courses, basic education, tertiary education, and post-graduate education. In keeping with the Augustinian philosophy of education, the institution changed from being a private school for boys to one that offered a degree in the arts. Later, it developed into a premier learning institution with outstanding programs in a variety of fields, including law, health and related sciences, theology, and other disciplines. With the purchase of the site in Sambag, Jaro, Iloilo City, the institution expanded to two campuses in the 1990s.
The basic education department was built on the new campus at a period when the university’s enrollment was over 10,000. The institution received autonomous status from the Commission on Higher Education in 2004 as it began the second century of the Augustinian Christian Formation. The institution was granted autonomous status in appreciation of its tremendous contribution to the development and notoriety of tertiary education in the nation and the Asia-Pacific region. Due to its autonomous position, the university was able to open new campuses and provide new programs without receiving specific ched clearance. The College of Liberal Arts (now College of Arts and Sciences) was the university’s first college to open its doors in 1937. In this section of the region, it is also the first institution to receive PAASCU accreditation.
Currently, there are nine colleges within the university: the College of Education, which the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has designated as a center of development; the Colleges of Pharmacy and Medical Technology; the College of Nursing; the College of Management and Accountancy; The College of Law, which is one of the top ten performing law schools; The College of Engineering and Architecture; and the College of Management and Accountancy. As a Catholic university, the University of San Agustin places a strong emphasis on values-based education. It aims to develop not only the intellectual but also the moral and ethical aspects of its students, instilling in them a sense of social responsibility. The university actively engages with the local community through outreach programs, service learning, and community partnerships. It encourages students to be socially aware and involved in addressing societal issues. The university promotes cultural and artistic expression through various activities and organizations.
It has a vibrant cultural scene, including theater productions, music ensembles, and visual arts exhibitions. USA focuses on the holistic development of its students, nurturing their talents and leadership skills through various clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities. The university encourages research and innovation among its faculty and students, contributing to advancements in various fields and addressing local and global challenges. The university takes pride in its accomplished alumni, who have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have become leaders in various industries, both locally and internationally.
The University of San Agustin in Iloilo continues to be a beacon of knowledge, values, and excellence in education, playing a vital role in shaping the future of its students and the broader community it serves.
