Brief History

The University of Bohol, the first university of the province of Bohol, was founded in 1946 through hope, faith and prayer by more than 224 stockholders dedicated to the education of the masses. It was originally named Rafael Palma College (RPC) 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 welcomes 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.

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 then 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. The significant event was graced by the presence of no less than the most illustrious Boholano, President Calos P. Garcia, fourth President of the Philippines, who gave fitting tribute to the founding of the University.

The institution, now already in its 58 years of existence and after thirty four years of becoming a University has stood strong and firm to her ideals and traditions.

Even it suffered setbacks when it was disturbed by student activism and labor problems in the early 1990's, it refused to die. Now becoming wiser and stronger after learning from the painful lessons, it has resolved to put into effect new approaches, systems, and directions to meet big challenges of the time. It has expanded its course offering to include non-traditional courses in Allied Medical Science, Computer Science and Technology, and a graduate program with different fields.

While recovering from the setback, a big fire broke out in February 22, 1999. One half of the structures in the University was burned. But with undaunting spirit, the UB community took the tragedy as an opportunity for moving fast forward. Classes resumed one day after the fire. The three storey Founders' Hall was built and completed six months after and another three storey Achievers' Hall was completed after one year since the big fire. More buildings were constructed and completed : the Information Resource Center which houses offices, auditorium, air-conditioned library, and Internet Center; and the Victoriano D. Tirol Advanced Learning Center campus.

As one of the leading institutions in Central Visayas, it serves not only Boholanos but also those from neighboring provinces. It has continually produced prominent people who are leaders in the community. It takes pride of graduates who have topped in board examinations and who successfully worked 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.