The Higher Education Review

Studying abroad has become a common trend nowadays, and citizens from Asian countries are climbing up the list of aspiring students who wish to pursue higher education overseas. The Philippines is currently leading the chart of the most sought-after South East Asian countries; the technological and intellectual advancements of the country have made them into a thriving modern-day higher education hub. One of the top-notch universities in the country is the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P). The UA&P is a prime higher education institution that has been churning out success stories year after year for the past five decades. The establishment of the University was inspired by the founder of Opus Dei, St. Josemaría Escrivá. The UA&P is an academic community where the pursuit and spread of truth are undertaken according to the highest intellectual and professional standards. The institution seeks to promote the integral development of the members of the University, undertake research for the common good, and contribute to the enrichment and spread of culture. UA&P aspires to pursue greatness in the ordinary, work on the holistic development of all, and do all these with joy.

A Prime Higher Education Institution
The institutional programs and curricula of all the courses offered by the UA&P emphasize on the individual, the family, the community, and the world, thus each school of the University strives to excel particularly in three areas: values formation, people development, and research and communication. "Our programs offer a holistic and strategic perspective to decision-making that is always reinforced by its integration of UA&P's liberal arts orientation. UA&P's programs are founded in the liberal education curriculum, and we aim to provide the much needed professionals who are trained in a humanist and ethical perspectives.

Following worldwide tendencies in the field, we continuously adopt the latest cutting-edge trends in teaching, technology, and knowledge in order to make our programs first-rate and relevant. We make sure our students acquire the skill sets that will enable them to achieve growth. Our Business-Academe partnerships also provide real-world experiences to our students prior to their graduation. We also encourage students to reflect on their own operations and to apply tools to create value in every facet of their future organization," affirms Dr. Winston Conrad B. Padojinog, President of UA&P.

"The UA& P is an academic community where the pursuit and spread of truth are undertaken according to the highest intellectual and professional standards"

UA&P offers a multitude of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. Undergraduate programs include bachelor degrees in Economics, Humanities, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media and Entertainment Management, Accountancy, Business Administration, Entrepreneurial Management, and Industrial Engineering. Some of the postgraduate programs available are Master in Applied Business Analytics, Master in Applied Business Economics, Master of Science in Management, and Master of Arts in Education Major in Adolescent Development and Education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, and Master in Business Economics, Information Technology, Political Economy, and Master of Science in Human Capital and Organization Development. UA&P also offers Doctor of Philosophy in Business Economics. The University prides itself on its Six-Year Integrated University Program (where students can finish their senior high school, bachelor's degree, and master's degree in just six years), Lex Honors Program (where high school graduates can get their pre-law course and a Law degree in seven years), and Five-Year Programs (where students can get their bachelor's degree and a master's degree in just five years). UA&P subscribes to Canvas, a cloud-based learning management system used by the top universities in the world to make teaching and learning easier.

Creating the Perfect Training and Learning Scenario
Located at the heart of a bustling metropolis, UA&P offers a serene and secure campus that has easy access to commercial areas and public transport terminals. It is an excellent choice for students from abroad looking for a new home away from home. "We have an internationally diverse community that caters to students from all over the world. Our vision of holistic education prepares students to become innovative and globally relevant professionals who are one step ahead in their respective fields wherever they are. Our small yet vibrant community allows for greater focus and attention on each student. True to our Credo, we are a university that promotes understanding and cooperation among people of all races, beliefs, and social conditions. Our faculty members are either experts in their field, industry practitioners, or academics honing their professional knowledge through further studies and research. Our one-on-one mentoring sessions provide our faculty with opportunities to guide our students in the choice of a profession," says Dr. Padojinog.

The institution has had many major milestones in its 52 years of operations. These include (1) being awarded the autonomous status in 2017, (2) its Teacher Education program was declared as a Center of Development by the Philippine's Commission on Higher Education, (3) being the first institution in Asia to be recognized by the IESE Business School's International Center for Work and Family as a Family-Responsible Employer, and (4) being the first to introduce the practice of sustainability reporting in the country and the only Philippine-based university that has been elected in the United Nations Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in Amsterdam.

UA&P's Public and International Affairs Office processes the application for international students. Housing needs are facilitated by UA&P's Center for Student Affairs. Orientation and campus tour are given before each start of the academic term. During the orientation, a buddy is assigned to each international student to assist them throughout the transition period and help them adjust much more quickly.