Southwestern University is probably the only school in
the Philippines that started operation in summer. It was
founded as Southwestern Colleges in the summer of 1946
when the country was still reeling from the destruction
of the Second World War. The Founders were Don Matias
Hipolito Chavez Aznar, II and his wife Doña Anunciacion
Barcenilla Aznar, both pharmacists.
The country then was in the process of rehabilitation,
and the philanthropic couple saw the difficulty of the
masses in the pursuit of an education that was disrupted
by war. Therefore, they decided on establishing a school
within the reach of the common people.
At the time of the founding, the University had only
three two-story buildings on an approximately two hectare
lot. But then there were only 18 faculty members, 509
students and the following programs: Elementary, High
School, Liberal Arts, Education and Law.
Today, Southwestern University offers over 50 degree programs
in the graduate and undergraduate levels, with an enrolment
of more than 10 thousand. It has increased to more than
400 faculty members and more than 400 non-teaching personnel.
Impressive buildings have replaced the old structures
and the land area has increased several-fold. In addition
to its more than 20 colleges, the University includes
a tertiary hospital, a drug rehabilitation center, and
a multimilion peso museum that gives a quick look at Cebuano
art and lifestyle from the pre-historic era to modern
times.
ince its acquisition of the University status in 1959,
Southwestern University has maintained its thrust for
academic excellence and continues to strive for the accreditation
of its programs. In 1994, the Philippine Accrediting Association
of Schools , Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), a prestigious
accrediting agency in the Philippines, granted formal
accreditation to the College of Nursing, the College of
Education and the College of Arts and Sciences. Four colleges
- the College of Commerce, the College of Pharmacy, the
College of Engineering and the College of Computer Studies
have already passed the preliminary survey. Other colleges
are being prepared for the same survey.
