Central Philippine University

Not to be confused with Central Philippines State University.

Central Philippine University
Pamantasang Sentral ng Pilipinas (Filipino)
The university seal
Former names
  • Jaro Industrial School (1905–1923)
  • Central Philippine School (1923–1936)
  • Central Philippine College (1936–1953)
MottoScientia et Fides (Latin)
Motto in English
Science and Faith
FounderWilliam O. Valentine
BenefactorJohn D. Rockefeller
TypePrivate, non-profit, research and coeducational basic and higher education institution
Established
Religious affiliation
In concordat with the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches but independent and non-sectarian
Academic affiliations
ACUCA, UBCHEA,[1]
ACSCU, PAASCU,
ATESEA, SEAMEO Schools Network
ChairmanPeter Irving C. Corvera, LL.B.
PresidentErnest Howard Dagohoy, M.Div., D.Min.
Students15,093 (September 2024)
Location
Jaro, Iloilo City
,
Iloilo
,
Philippines

10°43′49″N 122°32′56″E / 10.73028°N 122.54889°E / 10.73028; 122.54889
Campus
NewspaperThe Central Echo
Alma Mater songCentral, My Central
ColorsGold   and   Blue
NicknameCPU Golden Lions[2]
Sporting affiliations
PRISAA, UNIGAMES, WVRAA, ISSA
MascotGolden Lion
Websitewww.cpu.edu.ph
Central Philippine University is located in Visayas
Central Philippine University
Location in the Visayas
Central Philippine University is located in Philippines
Central Philippine University
Location in the Philippines
University rankings
Global – Overall
THE World[3]1501+ (2024) THE Impact Rankings 2024
1001+ (2023) THE Impact Rankings 2023
Regional – Overall
QS Asia[4]701–750 (2023)
118 (2023) QS South Eastern Asia
National – Overall
QS National[5]8 (2023)
1 (2023) Western Visayas

Central Philippine University (also known as Central or CPU) is a private research university located in Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines. Established in 1905 through the benevolent grant of the American industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller as the Jaro Industrial School and Bible School under the supervision of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society,[6][7] it is the first Baptist and second American and Protestant-founded university in the Philippines and in Asia.[8][9][10]

CPU played a pioneering role in nursing education in the Philippines by establishing the Union Mission Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1906, which later became the Central Philippine University - College of Nursing, the first nursing school in the Philippines.[11][12][13][14] Additionally, the university was the first to establish a Baptist theological seminary in the country, the CPU College of Theology; the first student council in Southeast Asia, the CPU Republic;[15] the first government-recognized agricultural school outside of Luzon, the CPU College of Agriculture, Resources, and Environmental Sciences; the first wind research facility in the country, the CPU DOST Wind Research Laboratory; and the first packaging engineering research and resource center in Southeast Asia, the CPU Philippine Center of Packaging Engineering and Technology.

CPU–Iloilo Mission Hospital, the university's hospital which was established by the Presbyterian missionary doctor, Joseph Andrew Hall in 1901, is the first American and Protestant hospital in the Philippines. It is also the first healthcare institution for the constabulary and soldiers during the American regime in the country.

CPU has been granted full autonomy status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the same Philippine government agency that designated some of its programs as National Centers of Development and Excellence. The university has also been distinguished as an ISO Certified institution, while its main campus is recognized as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and as a registered cultural property by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education, two world-renowned and influential university ranking bodies, have ranked Central as one of the top Asian and global universities.

The Hinilawod Epic Chant Recordings, housed at CPU's Henry Luce III Library, has been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of World Register, marking the first documentary heritage to receive such recognition outside Manila.[16][17]

The university consists of eighteen schools and colleges that offer instruction from basic education to post-graduate levels. Its undergraduate programs includes disciplines in Agriculture, Resources, and Environmental Sciences; Arts and Sciences; Business and Accountancy; Computer Studies; Education; Engineering; Health, Fitness, and Lifestyle Management; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Library Science; Mass Communications; Medical Laboratory Science; Nursing; Pharmacy; Political Science; Psychology; Respiratory Therapy; Social Work; and Theology. At the graduate level, CPU offers programs in Law, Medicine, and Graduate Studies.[18]

Although founded by the American Baptists and regarded as a Protestant university, CPU is a non-sectarian and independent institution. It historically maintains an affiliation with Silliman University as its sister school.

Central's alumni include prominent politicians, National Artists of the Philippines, Fulbright scholars and professors, scientists and inventors, recipients of prestigious awards like the Ramon Magsaysay Award, senators and legislators, cabinet members, judges, foreign diplomats, military personnel, provincial governors and city mayors, writers and journalists, film directors and actors, singers, and successful business leaders.

  1. ^ "United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA) Partner Institutions". Archived from the original on February 14, 2013.
  2. ^ CPU XI nips JBLFMU in Men's Football Championship Match. Retrieved 10-13-13.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "QS Asia University Rankings 2021". Top Universities. Quacquarelli Symonds. November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  5. ^ "QS Asia University Rankings 2021". November 26, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "100 Leaders in World History: John D. Rockefeller" Archived September 4, 2017, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "A tight-fisted businessman turned philanthropist" Archived April 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  8. ^ "John D. Rockefeller". Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "John D. Rockefeller (American History USA)". Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "The Philanthropists: John D. Rockefeller". Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "College of Nursing". Archived from the original on February 24, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  12. ^ Pioneer Nursing Hospitals and Schools in the Philippines (Slide deck) – via Scribd
  13. ^ History of Nursing in the Philippines. Retrieved 12–18–13.
  14. ^ History Of Nursing in the Philippines – 2 Archived May 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12–18–13.
  15. ^ "Student Activities". Central Philippine University. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  16. ^ UNESCO’s Memory of the World (MOW) Regional Register inscribes 20 new items in recognition of human innovation and imagination in Asia-Pacific. Retrieved June-08-2024.
  17. ^ Hinilawod Records of Jocano inscribe in the UNESCO MOWCAP. Retrieved 06-08-2024.
  18. ^ "Central Philippine University Academic Programs" Archived April 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 16, 2012.