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<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-22/up.avif" alt="University of the Philippines" />
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<h3>
Historical background
</h3>
<p>
The establishment of UP occurred during a transformative period in Philippine history. Following the Spanish-American War and the subsequent American occupation, the Philippines was transitioning from centuries of Spanish colonial rule to a new era under American governance. The American administration recognized the need for a robust educational system to support governance, economic development, and social progress. The creation of UP was a strategic move to provide higher education that would prepare Filipinos for leadership roles in government, industry, and academia, fostering a sense of national identity and self-governance.
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<p>
The initiative for UP's establishment came from the recommendation of W. Morgan Shuster, the Secretary of Public Instruction, to the Philippine Commission, the upper house of the Philippine Assembly. This led to the passage of Act No. 1870, also known as the "University Act", by the 1st Philippine Legislature on June 18, 1908. The act authorized the Governor-General to establish the university in Manila or at a location deemed most suitable, setting the stage for UP's foundational years.
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June 18, 1908: the University of the Philippines was established