About Us
History
TUA is an educational institution launched by 160 shares of Procter and Gamble stock. In 1922, Mrs. Mortimer Matthews gave to the Rt. Rev. Gouverneur Mosher, then Bishop of the Philippines, 60 shares of Procter and Gamble stock, while Bishop Paul Matthews added 100 shares the following year. The total shares of 160 valued then at $25,000 went to a trust fund to be spent in any way the Bishop of the Philippines considered most helpful to the work of the Church. When Bishop Matthews, who became Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey, USA, in 1951, married Elsie Procter, whose grandfather founded Procter and Gamble Company, both the Matthews and Gamble families became greatly interested in the missionary work of the Episcopal Church. In 1961, the stock had increased to 867 shares valued at $491,361.82. The Rt. Rev. Lyman C. Ogilby, then Bishop of the Philippine Episcopal Church, envisioned where the funds would be best spent. It would be used to set up a Christian college of high standards. The purchase of the former Capitol City College from the P. E. Domingo family in 1963 then followed.
The then Trinity College of Quezon City was named after Trinity College of Hartford, Connecticut, USA, whose president then was Bishop Ogilby’s father. Dr. Arthur L. Carson was its first president. Dr. Arturo M. Guerrero, who succeeded Dr. Carson in 1967, served for 16 years until his death in 1983. Executive Vice President Ester A. Santos was appointed Officer-in-Charge of the College until the third president, Dr. Rafael B. Rodriquez, assumed office in 1984. Col. Rizalino Cabanban was Officer-in-Charge from 1996 to 1997. Dr.Orlando B. Molina became the fourth president and served from 1998 to 2001. Dr. Josefina S. Sumaya was installed as the fifth president (and the first lady president) of Trinity College of Quezon City in 2002 and as the first president of Trinity University of Asia in 2006. Presently at the helm of the University is Dr. Wilfred U. Tiu, who was sworn into office as the sixth president in July 1, 2016.
The University started as a one-building campus. The administrative and college units moved to its present tree-lined campus on Cathedral Heights in November 1968 upon the completion of the Science Building through a grant from The Netherlands Government. It is now known as the Ogilby Hall. Enrollment soared, but tragedy struck on November 26, 1969 when fire razed the original plant housing the High School and the Elementary School on 226 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue. However, with the help of students, alumni, and friends here and abroad, an L-shaped three-storey building worth more than a million pesos was constructed. A gymnasium was built which was funded by the United Thank Offering of the Episcopal Churchwomen in 1971.
Subsequent additions to the campus skyline were the Trinity Learning Center for Children (TLCC), now known as the Alston Hall, for the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, built with funds bequeathed by Miss Mary Niven Alston; and the library building named after the Rev. Wayland S. Mandell, the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Mandell Hall was constructed and equipped by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and American schools and hospitals abroad, and funds from the Booth Ferris Foundation as well as from friends and alumni.
The three-storey Elementary School building was funded by donors led by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA), based in New York, USA, and St. Margaret’s School in Tokyo, Japan. The two-storey Cabanban Memorial Hall was constructed for the Computer Center of the Basic Education and now houses, as well, the College of Education (CEd). The two-storey TrinitianCenter for Community Development (TCCD), formerly CAUSE (Community Allied Urban Services and Education) Resource Center, was constructed through donations by the government of Japan and Trinity College supporters.
The New Millennium brought more constructions: the Health Sciences Center, the Ann KeimBarsam Hall, the Food Court, the open auditorium named Patio Trinidad, the swimming pool in the Aquatic Center, the University House, the Student Personnel Services Center crowned with a state-of-the-art cinema- auditorium, and the University Chapel and Prayer Garden. The Health Sciences Center houses the College of Medical Technology, the St. Luke’s College of Nursing, and the Health Sciences Library; while the Ann KeimBarsam Hall houses the Graduate School, College of Business Administration, the University Research and Development Center, the Barsam Audio-Visual Room, the KOBE International University Research Room, lecture rooms and laboratories for the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and the Radio-TV Studio of the Media Studies Department. The Student Personnel Services Center, likewise, houses the academic support units and the College of Computing and Information Sciences.
The University as a center for educational excellence in the country continued.
The relevance and responsiveness of the University’s curricular offerings in the Graduate School, Arts & Sciences, Business Administration, Computing and Information Sciences, Education, Hotel and Tourism Management, Medical Technology, and Nursing can be gleaned in the following: the high percentage of passers in government examinations, the high employment rate of its graduates in prestigious private and government offices, a considerable number of businesses initiated, and the excellence shown in fields such as politics, media, arts, community service, and many others. Quality education, animated by a strong Christian spirit, has certainly charted the path that the University has taken in the successful attainment of its mission. It is noteworthy that all university programs are accredited by the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities – Accrediting Agency Incorporated (ACSCU-AAI) and the Philippine Association of Accrediting Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) as certified by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies in the Philippines (FAAP).
The grant of University Status on July 18, 2006 by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) served as an inspiration to the management, faculty, and staff to continuously strive for excellence in all programs and services. Thus, when the University was barely three years old, it has successfully earned four major awards: Autonomous Status – the highest academic government award which was granted by the CHED; Institutional Accreditation Status which was granted by the FAAP as endorsed by the ACSCU-AAI; Level 4 Accreditation Status for the College of Arts and Sciences – the highest level of program accreditation, also granted by FAAP as endorsed by ACSCU-AAI; and, ISO Certification which was granted by the
SocieteGenerale de Surveilance.
The twin books on the history of Trinity University of Asia: Crown Jewel: Trinity University of Asia – 1963- 2008, and Visions Shared, were both launched on September 18, 2008 during the celebration of the second anniversary of the new University. The blessing of the University Symbol – the Triumphant Christ, coincided with this occasion.
In support of the scholarships and financial assistance program of the University, the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UBCHEA), USA, assists in the professional growth of the faculty by
providing study grants while Kobe International University, Japan, through faculty exchange. Trinity University of Asia is also a UBCHEA partner of the Iloilo Accord consortium together with Silliman University and Central Philippine University. It has also been a recipient of a scholarship grant for a master’s degree in Information Technology by Hannam University, Korea, in cooperation with the CHED.
Enhancing the University’s research culture is the University Research and Development Center (URDC) which regularly conducts research-seminar workshops and trainings for the academic community. All research methods and approaches are being explored and implemented, and topics cover all disciplines as per CHED’s thrusts and priorities and TUA’s vision-mission. Global linkages with educational institutions and professional organizations are continuously being strengthened for collaboration, faculty exchange, and funding. The Center regularly publishes research journals.
A holistic and integrated community extension programfor sustainable development has been instituted by then Trinitian Center for Community Development (TCCD). The University is deeply involved in community work among neighboring barangays, such as DamayangLagi, Tatalon, and KristongHari; and far-flung barangays such as those of the Aetas in Zambales and the poverty-stricken areas in Antipolo, Laguna, and Nueva Viscaya. All programs and activities are geared towards a quality life for its partner communities.
Trinity University of Asia also excels in sports. In 1985, the University joined the National Colleges Athletic Association (NCAA). In 2001, it affiliated with the Colleges and Universities Sports Association (CUSA) where its participation won several gold medals in basketball, volleyball, swimming, chess, and tennis tournaments. Such competitions enable the students to spend leisure time productively through regular fitness and sports development activities.
In 1995, the University was recognized by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos as the friendliest school for the disabled. In 2002, the Zobel Foundation provided scholarship grants to the physically challenged through its Disabled Empowerment and Enablement Program (DEEP). It has also linked up with many non-government civic organizations in its continuing tradition of caring for the underprivileged and the disabled.
The Japan Foundation, Inc. has chosen Trinity University of Asia, along with Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and University of the Philippines, to be a center for Japanology in the Philippines. The University has also been entrusted with programs that promote the humanitarian spirit. Since 1985, the renowned International Partnership for Service-Learning (IPS-L) had TUA as the sole implementer of its summer program in service-learning in the Philippines. Service-learning was institutionalized in the University and has become the patent for other schools in integrating community service into their curricular programs.
With service-learning at its core, TUA has rightfully earned a place of respect and honor in the Philippines, in Asia, and the rest of the world….Pro Deo et Patria – for God and country.
Recently completed additional buildings and facilities were the University House, the University Chapel and Prayer Garden and the Student Center with a theater-type auditorium. Sustaining its image nationally and internationally paved the way to its university status granted on 18 July 2006 by the Commission on Higher Education.
Trinity University of Asia was also awarded with Institutional Accreditation Status by The Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) in August 2009. By December 10 of the same year, the university was granted Autonomous Status. The Autonomous Status is one of the most distinguished awards bestowed by CHED to private schools for their enormous contribution in the growth and development of tertiary education in the country and the Asia Pacific region.
Completing the distinctions earned by the University is the ISO certification after the university successfullymet the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standards.