University of Asia and the Pacific

On August 15, 1967,[2] a non-profit private research center was formally established by economists Dr. Bernardo Villegas and Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, who would later be appointed Finance Secretary during the presidency of Corazon Aquino. It served as a "think tank" for private sector businesses and a provider of economics training programs.[3]

After this formal establishment, CRC set up its offices in a rented facility along Jorge Bocobo Street in Malate, Manila.[2] Prior to this, the CRC's first office was at offices of the United Coconut Authority of the Philippines, a private organization of coconut producers, then headed by Ambassador Jose V. Romero Jr. who served as its executive director.[4][5]

The transformation of CRC into a university was inspired by a private meeting in Mexico between the founder of Opus Dei, Msgr. Josemaría Escrivá, and the founders of CRC in 1970. The meeting encouraged Estanislao and Villegas to expand the institution's horizons internationally, which resulted to its first graduate program, the Masters in Industrial Economics.[3]

CRC then moved to its current campus in Ortigas Center, Pasig, with established formal and informal programs in 1982. A year later, the Center for Food and Agribusiness was established. Then in 1987, CRC was reminded by Bishop Álvaro del Portillo to establish a university. This resulted to the Institute of Development Education; the foundation for the School of Education.

On March 19, 1989, the College of Arts and Sciences was established and admitted its first batch of 158 college students. The center finally gained its university status on June 26, 1995, with Dr. Estanislao as its first University President and Fr. Ramon Lopez, the regional Vicar of Opus Dei for Asia, as its Vice Grand Chancellor.

The university is made up of a college offering liberal arts courses as core curriculum and seven schools of varied specializations.

A Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Placido Mapa Jr., takes care of the UA&P Foundation, Inc. Under it is the Management Committee, presided by University President Jose Maria Mariano, which is the university's governing body. It was formed to steer the university in the path set out for it. It makes sure that all plans, activities and projects undertaken advance the mission, goals and values of the university. [8]

The university offers 15 undergraduate degrees and 11 graduate degrees. It also offers 2 fast-track Master's programs: 5-Year Program (5YP), which is offered to incoming College (Freshman) students that allows them to earn a master's degree in just 5 years; and 6-Year Integrated Program (6YP), which is offered to incoming Junior College (Senior High School) students that allows them to earn a master's degree in just 6 years.

UA&P's academic programs operate on a semester calendar beginning in early August and ending in mid-May. Since 1998, students are graded in increments of 0.25, from 3.00 (failing grade) to 1.00.[9] Undergraduate students and students under the fast-track Master's program may graduate with latin honors depending on their graduating GWA. For students of stand alone graduate programs, they may graduate with High Distinction or with Distinction.[10]

Virtus is the UA&P Competition League, an association of the University's academic competing teams. It consists of FORUM: The UA&P Debate Society, Aureum: The UA&P Case Competition Pool, Odyssey: The UA&P Junior College Competition Pool, Citadel: The UA&P Investment Society, Minerva: The UA&P Public Policy Delegation, Trivium: The UA&P English Olympiad, Icarus: The UA&P STEAM Team, and the UA&P Model United Nations. It has led numerous student achievements including:

• Cayetano Paderanga, Jr. - Former Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority
• Ambassador Jose V. Romero Jr.
• Ralph Recto[21] - President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
• Dr. Thomas Aquino - Senior Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines
• John Eric T. Francia - President/Chief Executive Officer, AC Energy Corporation [22]
• Victor A. Yap - Governor, Tarlac Province
• Paolo S. Javier - Congressman, lone district of Antique Province
• Alex Gonzaga - artist, television host, influencer
• Raymond "Abra" Abracosa - rapper

• Official website