University of the Philippines

University of the Philippines is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9500 (UP Charter of 2008), giving it institutional autonomy.

The history of the University of the Philippines (UP) can be traced back to the early 1900s, during the American colonial period in the Philippines. In 1905, the Philippine Medical School was established in Manila. This school was later incorporated into the University of the Philippines as the College of Medicine and Surgery.

On June 18, 1908, the University of the Philippines was formally established by the American colonial government. The university was initially headquartered in Calle Isaac Peral (now United Nations Avenue) and Padre Faura in downtown Manila. It opened its doors to students on June 10, 1909.

In the early years of its existence, UP was primarily focused on providing education to the Filipino elite. However, over time, the university became more accessible to students from all walks of life. UP also expanded its academic offerings to include a wider range of disciplines.

During the Second World War, UP was closed by the Japanese occupation forces. However, the university reopened in 1945 after the war ended. In the postwar years, UP played a leading role in the reconstruction of the Philippines. The university also became a center of resistance to the Marcos dictatorship.

After the fall of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986, UP continued to grow and expand. The university established new constituent universities in Visayas, Mindanao, and Baguio. UP also opened its doors to international students.

Today, UP is one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines. It is known for its academic excellence, research productivity, and social activism. UP is also a major center for progressive thought and scholarship.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2024, University of the Philippines is positioned as the #404 top university in the world, which makes it the #1 top university in Philippines.