Philippine Women's University
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Philippine Women's University |
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| Motto | The First University for Women in Asia, Founded by Asians |
| Established | 1919 |
| Type | Private, non-sectarian |
| President | Dr. Amelou B. Reyes |
| Faculty | Approx. 500 |
| Undergraduates | Approx. 10,000 |
| Location | Manila, NCR, Philippines |
| Colors | Maroon and white |
| Affiliations | ASAIHL |
| Website | www.pwu.edu.ph |
The Philippine Women's University (PWU) is a non-sectarian academic institution for women in the Philippines, founded in 1919 as the Philippine Women's College by Filipino women who envisioned a school that would prepare young girls for leadership and service. PWU is located along one city block in the district of Malate in the City of Manila bounded by Taft Avenue, the streets of Malvar, Remedios and Leon Guinto. The school was granted in 1932 its university status, is recognized as the "First university for women in Asia," and is renowned for its civics-related courses with emphasis on training women in areas of child care and social work.
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[edit] Historical Background
[edit] Higher education for Filipino women
A group of visionary women in the Philippines in 1919 sought to further empower women of the country by allowing them access to quality education. Under the American administrative oversight from 1900 to July 4, 1946, education and democracy were the core of America's goal in "developing" the Philippines, and among the first and perhaps more important American legacy is the recognition of "equality of women" in the Philippine islands, years before mainland America could embrace the concept.
Seven women who were prominent members of then Manila's social elite--Clara Aragon, Concepcion Aragon, Francisca Tirona Benitez, Paz Marquez Benitez, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera and Socorro Marquez Zaballero--founded the Philippine Women's College (PWC) with the assistance of then prominent lawyer, Jose Abad Santos, who drafted the university's papers--its constitution and by-laws. Abad Santos was appointed by President Manuel L. Quezon to the Supreme Court of the Philippines just before the Japanese occupation as the 5th Chief Justice of the Philippines.
The American colonial government gave Philippine Women's College its recognition as a university in 1932, thirteen since the school opened its doors to women aspiring for higher education. From 1932 up to the outbreak of the Second World War, Philippine Women's University opened its Department of Child Department and in 1938, a course in Social Civic training was incorporated in the curriculum of the collegiate department. The various academic programs of the university were based on the founder's objectives to train Filipino girls in civic responsibility.
Established families from all over the Philippines who could afford higher education sent their daughters to PWU, a non-sectarian institution. Most academic institutions offering higher education at that time were exclusively for boys, like PWU's neighbor, De La Salle College. Schools for women offering higher education were operated by secular or religious sisters of the Roman Catholic Church,including PWU neighbor, Santa Isabel College, also located along Taft Avenue.
[edit] Second World War
The Japanese occupation of the Philippine islands from 1942 to 1945 did not intimidate the PWU community to continue with its operations. For a time, classes at the PWU (like in most academic institutions of that time) were held intermittently due to the extraordinary conditions imposed by the Japanese. The PWU campus, a building occupying an entire city block, was converted to a hospital, known as the "Pagamutan ng Maynila."
The university sustained major damages during the war and barely survived the siege during the start of the American liberation of Manila on February 9, 1945. The school resumed its academic programs a few months before the Philippines finally became a a free and independent republic on July 4, 1946.
[edit] Reaching out
PWU also contributed to many historical events in the country when the university opened its doors to fire-ravaged communities of Manila in 1969 and later in 1980.
In less than fifty years since the university's founding, PWU opened similar campuses for women in various parts of the country such as in Iloilo in the Visayas and Davao City in Mindanao.
The university also opened its doors to elementary and secondary education when it founded the Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) in nearby San Andres Bukid street, also in the district of Malate, Manila. Another JASMS campus was opened in Quezon City but was later closed down in the late 1990s.
[edit] Promoting Filipino culture
PWU is also recognized as a launching stage for those pursuing the performing arts. Through the efforts of former Senator Helena Z. Benitez, the university organized and developed the world-renowned performing group called the Bayanihan Philippine Folk Dance Company. Benitez, together with Philippine National Artist for the Music and the Arts, Dean emeritus Lucresia R. Kasilag, who served as Bayanihan's President and musical director, have pioneered and effortlessly promoted the Filipino culture, particularly folk dance.
Senator Helena Z. Benitez, who became the first Alumnae President of the University, has been at the helm of the university for more than three decades and in 1980 became Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
[edit] Adapting to changing times
The university had its very first male president in 1993 with the election of Dr. Jose Conrado Benitez who has set a vision on a strategic plan to diversify and to use information technology to transcend distance and bring functional education to everyone, at the time they are available, wherever they are, and whatever their needs be.
In the 1990s, PWU opened its doors to male enrollees and what was once an exclusive all-girls university finally became a co-educational institution.
PWU has proven itself to be an enduring institution, and now in the 21st century, remains committed to serving both men and women from nursery to graduate school in its Manila, Quezon City, Caliraya in Laguna Province, and Davao City campuses. The Philippine Women’s University System and its Affiliate Schools for Men and Women laid the foundation for its vision of corporate entrepreneurial university, market-driven in partnership with business and industry, government and non-government, through the use of modern technology.
In 2003, Dr. Amelou B. Reyes became the 8th University President. She holds a double cum laude from the Philippine Women’s University – Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology, and Bachelor of Science, major in guidance and counseling.
[edit] University principles
PWU envisions a pro-active, nurturing faith community rooted in spirituality, which develops transformative leadership for global competitiveness.
[edit] Mission
The school has an enduring commitment to prepare the learner as a role model for useful citizenship through a holistic education which treasures cultural heritage and is imbued with the core values of personal integrity, family solidarity, community participation, and leadership in the chosen profession.
[edit] Objective
The vision of educating the young for full participation in global citizenship is embodied in the University's fourfold objectives:
- Development of good moral character and personality to achieve personal integrity;
- Training for home and family life in developing family solidarity;
- Training for civic citizenship and community participation to foster unity and peace;
- Preparation for vocation or profession for leadership to achieve the dignity of professional work.
[edit] Affiliations
PWU is a member institution of Philippine Association of College and Universities (PACU), Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA) as well as the International Association of Universities and the International Association of University Presidents.
