BRAVING
86 YEARS OF
TRANSFORMATIVE
EDUCATION
It was in 1928, when education was restrictive and selective, that Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr. built a school that opened doors
for the middle and working classes who aspired to become accountants. More than eight decades later, Far Eastern
University continues to celebrate 86 years transforming the lives of the Filipino youth, and instilling fortitude, excellence,
and uprightness in every member of its community.
1920s Breaking Borders
Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr., together with an eminent group of educators from the University
of the Philippines, founded the Institute of Accountancy in 1928 that offered a three-year
program for Filipinos to earn the title of “Certified Public Accountant” or CPA. At that
time, only Americans were allowed to became CPAs. The institute was later renamed
the Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance (IABF) and branched out to majors in
The Birth of the Tamaraws 1930s
economics, business administration, banking, and finance.
IN 1933, IABF merged with Far Eastern College, founded in 1919, which
offered courses in liberal arts. The merger gave birth to what is now Far
Eastern University. This decade was marked by the expansion of FEU to
1940s Overcoming Tragedy
more disciplines, and establishment of the Institute of Education, Primary
The onslaught of World War II caused FEU to cease operations. During this time,
and Secondary educational levels in 1933, the Institute of Law in 1934, and
the campus was turned into Japanese Military headquarters and all FEU records
the Institute of Technology in 1936. The FEU Advocate, the official student
and property were destroyed. Tragedy struck when Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr. and some
publication, was also launched in 1934, to promote student welfare through
members of his family died in the hands of retreating Japanese forces. In October 1945,
its intelligent reporting and commentary.
the university overcame adversity and reopened with the American forces making use
New Beginnings 1950s
of FEU’s facilities until their departure in 1946. The fabled FEU Auditorium was built
in 1949. To this day, it is recognized as a world class facility that bred some of the
country’s most talented artists and performers.
FEU continued to provide quality education for the Filipino youth, offering more courses
to cater to the growing needs of the students and of the country. During this decade,
1960s Cultural Revolution
the Science, Arts, Technology, and Education Buildings were constructed to accommodate
FEU
opened the decade with a new thrust dubbed “Education for Culture” – a
the growing number of students in the institution. In 1952, the Institute of Medicine was
commitment to holistic education to produce well-rounded students. The FEU
established, followed by the School of Nursing in 1955, the latter became a full-fledged
Auditorium became the central facility for this thrust, and functioned as the
institute in 1961. It was also during this period that the FEU Hospital was inaugurated, and
cultural center of the Philippines. Internationally and nationally renowned
the Institute of Graduate Studies was established in 1957.
artists graced the stage of the FEU Auditorium for memorable performances.
The decade also gave birth to the course of Fine Arts major in Advertising.
Student Empowerment 1970s
FEU saw through another challenging period in the form of the Martial
Law. The Advocate was shut down, but student protestors braved the
1980s The New Learning Environment
streets to continue to fight for their rights. During this time of unrest, the
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts (IARFA) was formally established,
As democracy was restored in the country through a bloodless revolution at the tail end of
while the Institute of Medicine, School of Medical Technology, and FEU
the decade, FEU also went through a process of rebirth and restoration. Dr. Lourdes ReyesHospital were converted to the FEU Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation
Montinola, the only living heir of the founder, was named chair of the Board of Trustees.
(FEU-NRMF)
In line with the university’s commitment to provide quality education with a quality
At the Forefront of Technology
environment, Art Deco buildings were refurbished, and have become a trademark of
FEU. Curricula and performance measures were reinvented to usher in a new phase
and Innovation 1990s
FFEU became a center for cultural development, and this led to the establishment of transformative education.
of the President’s Committee on Culture to help uplift the cultural awareness of
the students. The 90s also marked a decade of innovation and progress with the
setting up of East Asia Institute of Information Technology in partnership with Asia
2000s Turn of the 21st Century
Pacific Computer Technology Center and Intelligent Wave, Inc. The FEU Educational
FEU’s efforts to continuously improve the quality of life within its campuses
Foundation was also established to assist faculty in obtaining graduate degrees,
earned the university recognition from the Commission on Higher
earning the university the “Best Employer” award from the Social Security System
Education (CHED) in 2009 as Best in Student Services in the country. In
in 1997 during the Balikat ng Bayan Awards. The FEU Advocate was also revived in
2005, UNESCO bestowed the Honorable Mention Award on FEU for
1998.
its well-preserved and largest ensemble of Art Deco Buildings in the
Towards becoming a school of choice
Philippines, now the focus of campus tours led by the university.
in the Philippines 2010s
FEU continues to work towards its mission to be a university of choice in Asia. As a result,
FEU established campuses in Makati and Cavite in response to the expanding demand
for quality education. An independent Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management was
also established, while several degree programs received high level accreditations from
the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation and
the PAASCU. In the face of the digital and technological age, a new 17-storey building
was built to house world-class facilities for the FEU Institute of Technology and the
program offerings of FEU East Asia College. Further expanding its offerings, FEU opened
five new doctoral programs in the areas of Psychology and Education, two new master’s
degree programs in Education, and five undergraduate programs by the end of the 2014
school year.
A LEGACY OF
EDUCATORS,
LEADERS,
AND HEROES
FEU IN NUMBERS
A.Y.
2013-2014
The Far Eastern University has gone through decades
of change, innovation, and progress.
“Academic Year 2013-2014 turned out to be about
setting future directions in the face of the ASEAN
integration, grounded by the founder’s vision
for the university,” said Dr. Alba. “For 86 years,
FEU has strived to be inclusive and flexible,
providing opportunities for higher learning
without prejudice and discrimination to any
segment of the population.
“The school would have a preference
for programs that provide relevant,
practical, skills-oriented training to the
highest intellectual, moral, and cultural
standards. Lastly, the school would be
organized as a for-profit enterprise as a
social entrepreneurship of the highest
order, returning the institutions wealth
to improve the quality of life of the
graduates and their contributions to the
country’s development.” (President
Michael M. Alba)
This vision as articulated by the
Founder, upheld by his successors, is
testament to Reyes, Sr.’s foresight,
where the clamor for quality
education as a foundation for a
stronger and more united Filipino
society is as important as ever.
Aurelio R Montinola III
Where education plays a central
Chairman role in political, economic, social,
and cultural life in the Philippines,
Far Eastern University FEU
has led the democratization of
higher education in affording quality
education to the working classes of
the country.
FOR
4697 Graduates
6,292 Scholarship Grants and Financial
Assistance awarded
Dr. Michael M.
Alba
President
(incumbent)
Dr. Michael M. Alba
President
Far Eastern University
Most in-demand institute:
Institute of Arts and Sciences with 29% of
enrollees
Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance
with 27% of enrollees
Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management
with 20% of enrollees
5 Major Academic National Competitions
Topped
The Global Business Challenge
PNOC Calendar Competition
Petron Vision Student Art Competition
32nd Nat’l PAMET and PASMETH Quiz Bee
Grand Quiz Bee of East Asian Countries
6 Season 76 UAAP Titles
for men’s track and field, men’s football,
men’s chess, women’s track and field,
women’s football and boy’s football
40 Community Extensions and Outreach
Programs with efforts focused on
environmental conservation, community
development, and relief efforts for natural
disasters