HISTORY

Foundation and Development

The University of Bohol was originally named Rafael Palma College after the greatest scholar of his time, the late Dr. Rafael Palma. Its history is an account of how a group of public and civic spirited citizens of the province of Bohol ventured to establish an educational institution in answer to a long felt need of college education to those who could not afford to study outside the province.

Rising from the ashes of World War II in 1946, the Boholanos welcomed with anticipation the birth of a local college whose first members of the Board of Trustees were: Dr. Pio C. Castro, President; Mr. Mariano Rocha, Vice President; Atty. Felix Magdales, Secretary; Mr. Catalino Castillo, Treasurer, and Atty. Donato Galia, member. The first permits for the pioneer courses were granted by the Bureau of Private Schools on June 10, 1946 through the earnest efforts of Atty. Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr.

The College admitted to her halls in July, 1946, 622 students. Since then she had grown in size, leadership and influence far beyond the dreams of the founders despite inadequate revenues, adversities and prejudice. The institution now offers instruction in many branches of knowledge on the post graduate, collegiate, secondary, and elementary levels.

The idea upper-most in the minds of the founders was to establish a non-sectarian, non-profit, and non-political school that would offer high standard of instruction within the reach of the common man. The school is supported by subscription from public spirited-citizens who, without any personal interest, have devoted themselves to the cause of raising the educational and cultural horizon of the people.

Growth

The institution which was founded through hope, faith and prayer by more than 224 stockholders dedicated to the education of the masses, has now become the first University in the province of Bohol.

From its humble beginning in 1946 with 622 students, it reached a thousand mark the following school year and since then has steadily grown in number.

To meet the increasing demands of a growing college, the founders and stockholders decided to construct a five-storey administration building in 1965 which was fully erected in 1967 and a four-storey science building in 1978 despite difficulties and scarcity of funds.

Inspired by the completion of the gigantic project and pressed by the challenges of time, the founders, administration and school community were not satisfied of just having a college. Sparked by enthusiasm and courage, the administration applied for the University status in 1969. On October 16, 1970, the Secretary of Education, Onofre D. Corpus granted the Charter for University of Bohol. On December 11, 1970, President, Atty. Victoriano D. Tirol, Sr. was installed. The significant event was graced by the presence of no less than the most illustrious Boholano, President Carlos P. Garcia, fourth President of the Philippines, who gave a fitting tribute to the founding of the University.

"My first words are those of fervent congratulations for the successful efforts you and your associates, have exerted, culminating in the establishment of University of Bohol. This is certainly an outstanding landmark in the history of our region. There are no boundaries to the new horizons of spiritual, intellectual and real upliftment of our people resulting from the establishment of the University of Bohol. Equally are my felicitations to you for having been deservedly exalted to the Office of the President of the University of Bohol. This does not only constitute an everlasting laurel for your dedicated career as an educator but it also opens for measure to the transcendental your golden opportunities for contributing further and in a greater cause of the education of our youth especially along University level."

On March 24, 1998, the University of Bohol installed into office its second president, Atty. David B. Tirol, who pledged before God and his constituents that he will carry on the vision of the institution.

In spite of the nobility of its mission, the University was not spared of challenges. It experienced students' activism and labor problems in the early 1990s. And in 1999, sixty percent of the University's structure was razed to the ground by a fire.

Despite the painful experiences, UB refused to die. With the prayer and support of the UB family, the alumni and the community, the University of Bohol survived. Now becoming wiser after learning from the painful lessons, it has resolved to put into effect new approaches, systems, and directions to meet bigger challenges. It has expanded its course offerings to include non-traditional courses in Allied Medical Science, Computer Science and Technology, and a graduate program with different fields.

The institution, now in its sixty years of existence and after thirty-six years of becoming a University has remained steadfast to her ideals and traditions.

As one of the leading institutions in Central Visayas, it serves not only Boholanos but also those from the neighboring provinces. It has continually produced prominent people who are leaders in the community. It takes pride of its graduates who top in board examinations and who successfully work their way to prove true to the mission of the institution. It has now established its roots - firm and strong through faith, hope and prayer.