Far Eastern University


Far Eastern University, also known simply as FEU, is a private university in Manila, Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of its first president, Nicanor Reyes Sr. It has been noted as the leading proprietary university in the Philippines.
The first accountancy and business school for Filipinos, the University, through the years, has expanded its course offerings to the arts and sciences, architecture, fine arts, education, engineering, computer studies, graduate studies, tourism and hotel management, law, nursing and medicine.
Since its establishment in 1928, FEU has produced national artists, business tycoons, ambassadors, justices of the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies, technocrats in private and government sectors, finance wizards, acclaimed physicians, nurses, educators, theater and media luminaries and so many others in different fields of expertise.

History

The Far Eastern University was founded in November 1934 when the Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance merged. Far Eastern College, founded in 1919 by Vicente K. Fabella, had been a liberal arts college in Quiapo; the IABF had been established by Francisco Dalupan Sr. with co-founders Hermenegildo Reyes, AB, BSEE, Ll.B and Nicanor Reyes Sr., head of the Department of Economics at the University of the Philippines, with a number of other prominent educators in 1928. IABF had been originally predominately used by, and the new university, which was supported by the tuition provided by its students rather than government grants.
In the early 1930s, FEU was housed in a converted tobacco factory already present on the property lot owned by Sulucan Hill subdivision. Due to the widening of the street that became Quezon Blvd., the original building designed and built by Architect Pablo Antonio Sr. was demolished and had to be rebuilt on a bigger scale on what is the present campus of FEU. During World War II, the campus was occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army as their base. The main building sustained bullet damage while the other three buildings did not.
In 1934, the Institute of Law was founded. Two years later, the Institute of Technology was founded, with Fransisco Santana its first dean. In April 1938, the FEU Junior College was opened in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Nicanor Reyes Sr. was the first founding president of the University, which spent its early years establishing several of its institutes, including those of Law and Technology. Reyes Sr. commissioned Architect Pablo S. Antonio Sr., his brother in law and husband of his sister Marina del Rosario Reyes-Antonio, who would later be titled as National Artist under the National Artist of the Philippines awards, to construct the main building for the school. In 1939, the Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall, which would later house the main library at third level and Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, opened. Two other buildings by Antonio, the Girls’ High School Building and Boys High School Building, followed in 1940 and 1941, by which year FEU had 10,000 registered students, with an international student population of 400. Then Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon hailed and called FEU "the best non-sectarian institution in the country." Many executions of top Filipino leaders in resistance to Japanese occupation, like that of Josefa Llanes Escoda and her colleagues were conducted on campus. Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. having been killed during the Japanese occupation, Hermengildo B. Reyes was appointed the second president of the University when it reopened in 1945.
The university was re-opened in October 1945 despite the use of most of its facilities by the American forces until their departure in May 1946, the post-liberation years saw the renaissance of FEU with its massive expansion of facilities aimed at meeting the demands of modern and relevant education in the country and the increasing student population.
Thereafter, FEU continued to expand, with the opening of the Science Building and the establishment of the Institute of Medicine and the School of Nursing. In 1955, the FEU Hospital was inaugurated. Humanities were introduced in 1959, and in 1970 the Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts opened. Also in 1970, the for-profit status of the Institute of Medicine, School of Medical Technology, FEU Hospital and the Student Health Service Clinic was altered, when these were converted into the Far Eastern University – Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit educational foundation.
In 1989, Nicanor Reyes Jr. introduced substantial revitalization to FEU that took place over a number of years, with renovation and modernization of facilities and grounds and upgrading of the University's educational standard. This resulted in the accreditation of the Institute of Arts and Sciences, the Institute of Education, and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, and, in the mid-1990s, the deregulation of the University by the Commission on Higher Education. The auditorium was upgraded to accommodate modern stage productions and the new twice-monthly presentations by local and international artists established by the President's Committee on Culture. The University also prioritized publication, launching a number of scholarly journals, and began networking with other institutions nationally and abroad.
After careful study of the technology program, the administration in 1992 decided to phase it out in favor of a computer technology program forged with the East Asia Computer Center, Inc. which offered degrees in computer science and certificate courses.
In 2010, FEU established the FEU Makati campus in Makati City, which started its operations by June of the same year. FEU Makati offer master's degree program in Business Administration and Baccalaureate programs in Accountancy, Accounting Technology, Information Technology and Business Administration.

Corporate

The Far Eastern University, Incorporated is a domestic educational institution founded in June 1928 and was registered and incorporated with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 1933. On October 27, 1983, the University extended its corporate life to another 50 years. The University became a listed corporation in the PSE on July 11, 1986.
The company operates through three segments: education, real estate and investment activities. Its geographical segments include Manila, Makati and Cavite.
The University's major subsidiaries include: Far Eastern College – Silang, Inc., East Asia Computer Center, Inc., Fern Realty Corporation, FEU Alabang, Inc. and FEU High School, Inc. Similar to the University, FECSI, EACCI, FEU Alabang, Inc. and FEU High School, Inc. were established to operate as educational institutions offering general courses of study. In April 2016, FEU entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire an initial 80% of Roosevelt College, Inc.
Most recently, FEU has entered into a joint venture with the Technological Institute of the Philippines to launch Edustria, a senior high school in Batangas.

University emblems

FEU's campus is noted for a number of historical Art Deco buildings preserved from the first half of the 20th century. Among the buildings on FEU's campus complex, five by late Ar. Pablo S. Antonio Sr. garnered recognition for FEU in 2005 from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, who bestowed the Asia Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage on the university for "the outstanding preservation of its Art Deco structures."
The buildings include the Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall, the Admissions Building, the Architecture and Fine Arts Building, the Administration Building, and the Science Building. The Cultural Center of the Philippines also recognized the historical legacy of the buildings with a marker. Other historical buildings on the campus include the 1950s FEU Chapel, FEU Hospital, and the Arts and Sciences Building, which also represent the International Style.
The school maintains various facilities, such as an electronic library, various types of laboratories, auditorium, audio-visual and multimedia rooms, technology-based gate security and enrollment system, and gymnasiums.
Due to the FEU's mission to preserve and care for the environment, the university has a green and eco-friendly campus landscape and is famously called as the "Oasis of the University Belt".
Presidents of Far Eastern University
Nicanor Reyes Sr., 1934-45
Hermenegildo Reyes, 1945-46
Clemente Q. Uson, 1946-47
Belen R. Enrile-Gutierrez, 1947-49
Vidal A. Tan, 1949-52
Teodoro T. Evangelista Sr., 1952-71
Nicanor Mendoza Reyes Jr., 1971-82
Belen Reyes Enrile-Gutierrez, 1982-85
Josephine C. Reyes, 1985-89
Felixberto C. Sta. Maria, 1989-1995
Edilberto de Jesus, 1995-2002
Lydia B. Echauz, 2002–12
Michael M. Alba, 2012–present

History

During the 1930s, there was a heavy influence of American culture especially in the field of technology and construction that was reflected in the lives of the Filipinos. Concrete and steel were used by the Americans and was found to be the suitable materials for the tropical environment. These were materialized by Arch. Pablo S. Antonio Sr., a National Artist in creating the FEU campus buildings that reflected both the university's and the country's vision and showed his personal transition from Art Deco to the International Style. The buildings were constructed between the years 1939 to 1950.

Heritage Buildings of FEU Manila Campus

Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall
The Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall, named after the founder of the FEU, is a long, low-rise U-shaped building facing Quezon Boulevard beside the Alfredo Reyes Hall. The building was constructed in 1939 by National Artist Arch. Pablo Antonio. The distinct character of the massive facade are the sets of protruded vertical volumes located on both ends of the structure.
Attention to details is another design focus of the architecture of Pablo S. Antonio Sr. The heavy influence of Art Deco in his architectural style is seen even in transitional elements like the stairs. The outdoor stairs that joins the walkway at the second floor has layers of thin concrete slabs that swirl in waves above the rigid geometry of the handrail.
The physical envelope of the Main Building, now Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall, is one of the examples of classic Philippine Art Deco emphasizing the play on geometric forms.
Administration Building
The FEU Administration Building was also constructed by Arch. Pablo S. Antonio Sr. a decade after the Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall. It is located at the opposite end of the campus quadrangle that features a facade with geometric architectural details, horizontal windows, and a balcony that extends into a viewing deck at the second floor to observe the activities in the quadrangle. The Administration lobby has floor tiles made of Carrara Marble, the same material used by Michelangelo in his mother and child sculpture La Pieta and also used in New York’s Grand Central Station.
The Art Deco - inspired FEU Theater can be found inside the Administration Building. It also houses the works of the known Filipino artists, most of them in the Art Deco era. One work is a mural done by Antonio Gonzales Dumlao in the Administration Building which conveys the university mission. Francesco Ricardo Monti also did a bas-relief depicting the history of the Philippines.
The former Main Building is one of the twin edifices flanking the Administration Building. It is the third building designed by Arch. Pablo S. Antonio Sr. also in the Art Deco Style. Constructed in 1941, it is used to house the Boys' High School which is originally an early basic education program of the university.
Admissions Building
Built in 1940, the Admissions Building is the mirror image of the Architecture & Fine Arts Building. The building was initially used by the Girls' High School and in 1983 became home to the Institute of Medicine. In 2015 the building has been renovated and changed its name from FEU-East Asia College Building to the FEU Main Building which was used before by FEU-EAC students. Since there is a newly created building for EAC students they were transferred now to the FEU - Institute of Technology Building located just across the campus in Ricardo Papa street.
Science Building
The seven-story building erected in 1950 was also designed by Arch. Pablo S. Antonio Sr. in what is considered a transition of style between Art Deco and the post World War 2 International Style. In 1990, an earthquake caused structural damages to the building making it necessary to demolish the top two floors. By the late 2013 a sixth floor was added. The building now houses the Department of Medical Technology, Psychology, Biology and Mathematics.

FEU Auditorium

FEU’s Auditorium is designed by Pablo Antonio Sr., National Artist for Architecture in 1949. It is the first Cultural Center of the Philippines, and also, the very first fully air-conditioned auditorium in the Philippines which can accommodate 1000 spectators.
The Auditorium was home to renowned orchestras. It featured dances from Manila Ballet Academy, New York City Center Ballet, and Martha Graham – an American dancer and one of the twentieth century revolutionary artists. It also became the venue of major theatrical productions like Bastien and Bastienne – created by two National Artists, Nick Joaquin and Cesar Legaspi.
In addition, it was in FEU where Sarah Joaquin–actress, writer, director, and former Head of the Drama Department–showcased her talents through presentation of classic and contemporary plays. To this date, the auditorium upholds this legacy by accommodating more notable performances from artists here and abroad.

FEU SCA Chapel

Another masterpiece is within the Student Council Association Chapel. Inaugurated on the 8th of December 1957, the SCA Chapel is where religious activities of faculty, personnel, and students are held. Its interior features a mural by Carlos “Botong” Francisco, proclaimed National Artist in 1973 and discoverer of Angono Petroglyphs. His painting 14 Stations of the Cross encompasses 260 degrees of one’s visual range. SCA Chapel’s façade is the richly colored tile mosaic of Our Lady of Fatima by Vicente Manansala, also a National Artist who developed the transparent cubism technique apparent in this piece of art.

FEU Library

It was located on the first two floors of the Nicanor Reyes Hall. The collection of books falls under Circulation, Reserve, Reference, Filipiniana, and Periodical sections. These can easily be accessed using the OPAC. The Online Public Access Catalog of FEU is its online database of all its print and multi-media resources. The Electronic Library is also available to provide members of the academic community highly effective learning experiences and services through the web and internet technologies as an extension of the services of the conventional library.
The Philippine Association of Academic Research Librarians, Inc. honored the library with the Outstanding Academic/Research Library Award during the PAARL 2012 Awards. The FEU library was recognized for its outstanding contribution to academic and research librarianship and library development along with leadership in regional library management, education and training, information and documentation services.

Academics

Far Eastern University offers 41 undergraduate and 17 graduate degree programs through its seven institutes. The university offers secondary, post-secondary and various certification courses. FEU comprises several Institutes that offer specific programs. Starting 2020-2021, FEU Manila will hold extension programs in FEU Cavite

Institutes

An FEU student's final grade for a course generally comes in the form of a letter, which is a summary of his or her performance in the formative and summative assessments. A is given a value of 4, B+ 3.5, B 3, C+ 2.5, C 2, D+ 1.5, D 1, and F 0. The passing mark for all university courses regardless of program is 50%.

Scholarship Grants

FEU funds an average of over 3,500 scholars every year, providing about 11% of the total student population. Scholarships are granted to academically qualified students, financially challenged yet deserving individuals, and university representatives in different fields of service and interests.

Accreditation

Conferred the Autonomous University status by Commission on Higher Education, FEU Manila currently meets the highest regulatory standards set for Philippine HEIs. CHED has designated FEU's Teacher Education Program and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration as Center of Excellence and Center of Development, respectively.
FEU Manila has twenty-one accredited programs. In addition, eight of the undergraduate programs have level 4 – the highest – accreditation from the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation, while the rest are on their way to obtaining ever higher accreditation levels.
FEU Manila's international recognitions include being an associate member of the ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance, one of less than ten Philippine HEIs with the distinction; a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business for its BS Accountancy, BS Business Administration, and Master of Business Administration programs; and an associate member of the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Management for its BS Tourism Management and BS Hotel and Restaurant Management programs.
International certification/accreditation
Local
In 2012, Far Eastern University was granted Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education.
Far Eastern University has twenty-one accredited programs by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation and Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.
PACUCOA Level IV Accredited programs
PACUCOA Level II Accredited programs
PACUCOA Level I Accredited programs
PAASCU Level III Accredited
FEU funds research in areas such as biodiversity, urban renewal, public health, genetics, sociolinguistics, and indigenous cultures.
Key Institutional Materials and University Publications
FEU has had long and rich history in education, culture, arts and sports.

Athletics

FEU is a founding member of the two major collegiate athletic organizations in the Philippines, namely the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
Among the many athletes who have attended FEU are Alberto Nogar Sr, Lydia De Vega, Elma Muros, Anthony Villanueva, and Johnny Abarrientos. FEU's teams are named after the tamaraw, a buffalo with a reputation for ferocity.

Events

Musica FEUROPA - is an annual national choral competition in partnership with the European Union organized by the FEU Chorale and the President's Committee on Culture.
Tatak Tamaraw - is a week long event that welcomes freshmen to the FEU community. It also orients them on policies, support services, and the vibrant campus life.
Tam Rally - parade and performances by FEU Athletes and Cultural Groups.
Tam Hunt, a student organizations membership fair.
Concierto Piyu, a concert held during foundation day.
Paskong Piyu - university-wide Christmas celebration and inter-institute sing and dance competition.

Arts and culture

Since 1990, the university has maintained the FEU Center for the Arts which programs a year-long calendar of cultural activities. The FCA also nurtures seven cultural groups namely, FEU Bamboo band, FEU Chorale, FEU Dance Company, FEU Drum and Bugle Corps, FEU Theater Guild, FEU Drummers and the FEU Guides. The FEU Guides conduct tours of FEU's UNESCO awarded campus.
FEU was the first university in the Philippines that allowed students to dress up according to their gender identity. In August 2016, the university started to relax its dress code and allowed students to dress according to one's gender. The students can enjoy all-gender restrooms, "a no-haircut policy", school attire options instead of a uniform, and a multi-faith room.

Student organizations and core groups

There are 58 student organizations under the supervision of the Office of Student Affairs, which serves as the arms of Student Development, Guidance & Counseling, FEU Center for the Arts, Institutes, and Departments of degree programs in providing out-of-the-classroom experiences for the students to make them holistically formed. The organizations usually conduct projects during the Activity Period.
FEU Central Student Organization is the central student government of the Far Eastern University, which promotes student rights and well being and at the same time develop programs and activities that will cater the needs of the student body inside or outside the university.

Volunteerism

The university participates in Hands on Manila's yearly Servathon, an event that helps marginalized sectors through volunteer service.

FEU Group of Schools

FEU Manila is the main and flagship campus of Far Eastern University, it is located at Nicanor Reyes Street, Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. FEU Tech is the engineering and technology school of Far Eastern University located at P. Paredes St., Sampaloc, Manila, just a minute walk from the main campus. FEU Diliman is located in Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. FEU NRMF is the medical school of Far Eastern University; FEU NRMF administration is highly autonomous and independent from FEU Manila. FEU Roosevelt is a private non-sectarian college system with five greater Metro Manila campuses. It currently operates a three sub-campuses located in Cainta, Marikina, and Rodriguez.

Extension Campuses

FEU Makati is an extension campus of FEU Manila located in Makati, Philippines. The campus primarily serves the university's graduate business and law students.
FEU Cavite is an extension campus of FEU Manila located in MetroGate Silang Estates, Silang, Cavite, Philippines.
FEU Alabang is also an extension-campus located at Corporate Woods, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa, Philippines.

Notable alumni

Governance and public service

Business