The
Methodist-run Wesleyan University of the Philippines observed its 68th
founding anniversary at its Main Campus along Mabini Extension through a
six-day festivity which kicked off last February 10 with a thanksgiving and
worship service, motorcade, film showing and the opening of college booths and
tiangge.
WUP
president Pacifico Aniag said this year’s anniversary rites, which have as its
theme : “Sustaining Excellence at 68,” were also marked by medical and dental
mission, blood-letting, the “my teacher and I got talent” competitions, jingle
and digital photography competitions, the search for Mr. and Miss Wesleyan
2014, beach volleyball tournament, sportsfest, the Run for Kids 2014 fun run and
the Grand Alumni homecoming Saturday.
Aniag,
a former three-term provincial board member of Bulacan, said this year’s
festivities represent a high-water mark for the university which has been
offering high-quality education for the past 68 years.
He said WUP has
become synonymous with lofty academic standards, broad course offerings, highly
competent faculty and personnel, wide range of facilities and excellent record
of community service.
Described
as a non-stock, non-profit, Methodist-related but non-sectarian institution,
WUP started in 1946 as the Philippine Wesleyan College (PWC) after it was
founded by a group of Methodist religious and lay persons who saw the need to
provide Novo Ecijanos the opportunity to receive college education without going
to Manila.
In
1978, it was granted university status and renamed WUP, in the process becoming
the first private university in the province in recognition of its role as a
credible institution of higher learning in the province.
In
2009, WUP was given a five-year autonomous status by the Commission on Higher
Education (Ched), thus, becoming the first and only autonomous private
university in the province. With the accolade, WUP also joined the elite list
of best private universities in the country.
The festivities
also came at a time when the university was on a transition from a potential
leadership crisis owing to a power struggle involving factions loyal to his
predecessor and the Board of Trustees (BOT).
Aniag’s
predecessor was facing corruption allegations and was given a graceful exit by
the BOT by allowing him to go on an indefinite leave. The Board later named
Aniag as new president to steer the school to new heights.
Aniag
said the school has gone a long way, with its student population now at 8,200.
Of these, some 5,700 are college students while 1,500 are primary and secondary
students. It also has 1,000 students at its extension campus in Maria Aurora, Aurora .
Aniag
said the students from the Cushman campus have been availing of the school’s
state-of-the-art facilities that include the university hospital, library,
auditorium and chapel, computer center, radio station, function hall, food
court, the Wesley Park and Plaza Acacia among others.
WUP
has eight colleges offering 17 baccalaureate degrees. The colleges are arts and
sciences, business and accountancy, education, engineering, computer studies,
criminal justice education, hotel restaurant and institution management and
nursing and allied medical sciences.
These
colleges offer bachelor of science degrees in arts, accountancy, accounting
technology, business administration, secondary education, elementary education,
social work, electronics engineering, computer engineering, information
technology, criminology, hotel and restaurant management, tourism management,
nursing, physical therapy, medical technology and radiation technology.
It
also hands over a diploma for midwifery courses.
For its graduate school, WUP has a
doctorate degree in education and business administration and masteral degrees
in education, sociology, business administration, nursing and criminal justice
education. – Manny Galvez
