AUP HISTORY

Humble Beginnings 

The Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) traces its roots and humble beginnings from missionary-oriented people who had a strong desire to develop young people for usefulness in life, and more specifically, to prepare efficient workers in the different branches of Christian service and ultimately for citizenship in the coming kingdom of God. 

 The coming of Elder L.V. Finster in 1908 as a pioneering missionary led to the conversion of young Filipinos to Adventism:  Bibiano Panis, Emilio Manalaysay, and Leon Roda who were also trained on methods of sharing the gospel.  These newly converted Filipino Adventists impressed Elder Arthur G. Daniels, President of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists (SDA), of the need to build a school for the Adventists in the Philippines. 

Pasay Campus 

The matter was presented to the General Conference Committee, and, in due time, a small amount was raised and used to purchase about 2 hectares (five-acre) of lot (worth USD 6,500 equivalent to PhP13,000 then) at the corner of Donada and San Juan Streets in Pasay City, now the location of the North Philippine Union Conference of SDA.  The rest of the money was used to purchase lumber for the construction of the school’s first building.  The school was opened on June 12, 1917 to 36 students, 12 of whom were girls.  Part of the curriculum was the work program to help students earn money while they study. The first faculty of the academy were Professor Irving A. Steiniel, the principal and business manager, and Professor Oliver Fisk Sevrens, as a preceptor.   Both had come to the Philippines with their families as missionaries.  Brother Marciano A. Roxas was the first Filipino teacher employed by the Academy.  In 1925, at the Spring Council of the Far Eastern Division, it was voted that the academy be authorized to carry 14 grades, adding one grade each year towards 1927 and that the name be changed to Philippine Junior College. Elder W. B. Amundsen was elected principal in 1927 and served until the year 1931. 

Baesa Campus 

At the end of 1927, 26 hectares of land were purchased in Baesa, Caloocan, then part of Rizal province for Php 65,951.95, to accommodate the increasing number of enrollment. Prof. Lawrence M. Stump, president of the college in 1931, directed the construction of the buildings. The school finally moved to Baesa Campus in 1932. It was also in 1932 that the Far Eastern Division permitted the elevation of the junior college to a senior college naming it Philippine Union College (PUC). The successful years of PUC could be traced back to the missionary efforts of the administrators, teachers, students, and church members who worked very hard.  The visionaries of the Baesa era adopted the school song Shine on Forever in 1934 composed by Honesto Pascual, Sr. 

Silang Campus 

The ever-increasing number of PUC enrollment inspired the administration to purchase yet a bigger property of 165 hectares of land located in Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite in 1972. The same missionary spirit that inspired the pioneers in the past stimulated the administrators, faculty, and students to work hard, sacrifice time, energy, and effort leaving behind the conveniences of life in the city just to move to the new PUC ‘mountain’ location. The year 1979 saw the first batch of freshman and sophomore students in this new campus and, in 1981, with the movement of the juniors and seniors from Baesa, the campus transfer was completed. 

Philippine Union College (PUC) to Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) 

Growing is a package of joy, crises, and pain, which PUC experienced in all phases of its community existence. Through all these, PUC kept on “shining”. On August 1, 1996, in accordance with Republic Act (RA) No. 7722 and by virtue of Resolution No. 132-96, Series of 1996, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted AUP the long-awaited University Status entailing the change of the school’s name from Philippine Union College to Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP). 

AUP Granted an Autonomous University 

“Shine on Forever, Dear AUP,” a compelling command that knows no limit, keeps inspiring the university leaders, workers, and students from all over the world to strive harder to reach the heights of excellence. Students have continuously topped the board exams and other academic competitive tests which helped pave the way for the University to acquire Deregulated Status on October 22, 2001. On October 27, 2003, AUP was awarded an Autonomous Status for its meritorious achievement in the areas of instruction, research, and community extension services; for the high performance of graduates in licensure examinations, and; for maintaining a tradition of integrity, excellence, and untarnished reputation in the educational service. On March 7, 2009, the Commission on Higher Education again awarded AUP renewal of its Autonomous Status from March 2009 to March 2014 which was extended up to March 31, 2016, and on April 13, 2016, CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) # 20, series of 2016 by virtue of the Commission en banc Resolution # 192-2016, CHED again granted Autonomous Status to AUP up to May 31, 2023.  Application for the renewal of AUP autonomous status was submitted on September 12, 2023. 

The Newly Registered AUP 

On July 8, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the new AUP and was thus granted a Certificate of Incorporation under Company Registration No. CN200909866 for another term of 50 years. 

AUP’s Accreditation, Recognition and Other Accolades 

As a Seventh-day Adventist institution, all AUP’s academic programs are approved and recognized by the International Board of Education (IBE) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with its headquarters at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. Consequently, the Adventist Accrediting Association granted the University Institutional Accreditation up to December 31, 2027.   

Likewise, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Education (DepEd) of the Republic of the Philippines granted Government Recognition to 30 higher education programs and four basic education programs of the university, respectively. The medicine program was given a government permit in December 2014. The program officially started in August 2015. Thus, AUP offers a total of 34 programs up to the present. 

The University was granted by the Commission on Higher Education AUTONOMOUS STATUS for the fourth time from 2003 up to May 31, 2023, for its meritorious achievements in the areas of instruction, research, community extension services, high performance of graduates in the licensure examinations, and for maintaining integrity, excellence and untarnished reputation in the realm of education (But renewal is differed due to the pandemic). These are manifestations of AUP’s genuine commitment to quality, excellence, and global competitiveness. 

In its quest to maintain its university and autonomous status as a gauge for quality education, AUP was subjected to voluntary accreditation way back in 1984 for its nursing program under the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).  In 1985, three programs (Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Elementary and Secondary Education) were subjected to voluntary accreditation under the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities – Accrediting Agency Inc. (ACSCU-AAI).  To date, 32 out of 34 programs are accredited; 9 of which are Level 4, 15 are Level 3, 6 are Level 2, and 2 are Level 1 through ACSCU-ACI and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA). The Theology program is also accredited by the Association of Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA). 

AUP has also received Institutional Accreditation Award from the Federation of Accrediting Agency of the Philippines (FAAP) in April 2010 and was re-affirmed by the same agency in December 2016 for a period of five years and June 15, 2022 for a period of 2 ½ years. On April 1, 2016, AUP was recognized by CHED as Center of Excellence (COE) in Teacher Education and a Center of Development (COD) in Business Administration. Furthermore, the implementation of the K to 12 program paved the way for AUP to be recognized by CHED as a Delivering Higher Education Institution (DHEI).  

On March 19-22, 2018, CHED visited AUP for Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) and AUP was able to pass all the required ratings for a university autonomous status. 

AUP was also accredited in January 2017 up to the present by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Provider for Nurses, Accountants, Professional Teachers, Psychologist, Dentists, Nutritionists, and Medical Doctors to help our constituency earn continuing education units before renewing their licenses. AUP also offers innovative programs such as Straight Programs, International and National Certification Programs. 

In line with the government’s thrust for internationalization, AUP affiliated itself with International HEIs for its faculty and student exchange, cultural exchange, research collaboration, and the like. 

Administrators, faculty, staff, and students unwaveringly rally behind Adventist University of the Philippines in its commitment to its Mission, Vision, Philosophy, and calling to “Shine on Forever.” 

Philosophy, Vision, Mission and Core Values of the University.  The mission and vision of AUP are always discussed in classes at the start of every semester. They are reflected in every course syllabi, in the faculty and staff handbook, manual of academic policies, bulletin, brochures and other publications.  They are also posted in strategic places.  

The work of education and the work of redemption are one:
to restore in humanity the lost image of God
through the harmonious development
of the mental, physical, social, and spiritual faculties.

The Adventist University of the Philippines
is committed to provide quality Bible-based education,
nurturing students for academic excellence,
Christ-like character, and exemplary service.

Adventist University of the Philippines
envisions to be a leading Adventist educational institution in the Asia-Pacific region.