| The Manila Central University
had very humble beginnings. In 1903, at the request of several students
from the University of Sto. Tomas and other individuals, Dr. Alejandro
Albert organized a private review class. This review class developed into
the Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila in 1904, with Dr. Albert as
director, a post he held until 1915 when the Liceo was transformed into
the Manila College of Pharmacy with Messrs. Albert, Alfredo L. Guerrero,
Antonio C. Llamas, Feliciano Paterno and Filemon Tanchoco, all faculty
members of the institution as incorporators. This was the first educational
institution of its kind established and managed by Filipinos. Its success
demonstrated the undoubted capacity and ability of the Filipinos in managing
their own affairs in the educational field, especially then; at the time
of its initial organization, it was barely four years after the establishment
of the Philippine Educational System. The Manila College of Pharmacy became
one of the leading institutions of higher learning of its kind. Stable
and secure in its position, the college expanded in 1929. Its board of
trustees, answering a long felt need for the training of youth for dental
services, opened the College of Dentistry. The Manila College of Pharmacy
then became the Manila College of Pharmacy and Dentistry of the pre-war
period. Opened and dedicated to give the best education for our youth,
the college maintained its leading position in the educational field. Unfortunately,
the war closed its portals in 1941. During the Japanese occupation, the
enemy systematically plundered its extensive facilities, laboratory equipment,
etc., and during the liberation period, it was further pillaged of everything'but
the shell of its two buildings. After the liberation of the Philippines,
the board of trustees reorganized the college into the Manila Central College.
In addition to pharmacy and dentistry, the reorganized institution offered
courses in liberal arts, education, commerce and business administration,
and Post Graduate courses in pharmacy. And finally in 1947, the College
of Medicine was added.
In 1948, it became the Manila
Central University (MCU) after having opened the College of Nursing and
Graduate School and more than sufficiently meeting the requirements for
a university. In 1949, the MCU inaugurated its 10-hectare campus in Caloocan
City. The College of Optometry, Midwifery and High School and Kindergarten
classes were also opened. Additional school buildings and service facilities
were constructed yearly. Expansion projects and development programs for
the whole university and individual colleges were continuously drawn to
meet the educational demands and objectives of the university. The doctoral
programs were opened in 1992, and in 1994, the College of Physical Therapy
was approved. In 1996, the consolidation of all colleges in one campus
took place. All programs located in Mayhaligue and Zurbaran were transferred
to Caloocan City. As an educational institution, its mission is to develop
well-rounded individuals through competent instruction and research in
the acquisition of desirable personal traits and adequate knowledge and
skills that will enable them to participate intelligently in community
and national development efforts and imbue them with love of country and
a sense of public service. |
