Historical evolution and accomplishments of the University
As part of PLM's institutional memory, this page chronicles the historical milestones of the life of the University from the time it formally operated on 17 July 1967. Through the years, PLM evolved and metamorphosed from its early foundation as to what it is today: the youngest among the league of best universities in the Philippines.
This section is divided into milestone eras: the Foundational Era (1967-1977), the Development Era (1978-1988), the Golden Era (1989-1999); and the Renaissance Era (2000-present).
Foundational era (1967-1977)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1967 July 17 |
PLM opened with only one college, the University College, which offered a 2-year Associate in Arts program with a strong liberal arts education system. The Physical Education Department was created under the University College. |
| 1968 May 19 |
The Graduate Institute for Teachers was established and offered MA in College Teaching, MS in College Teaching and MA in Teaching. The Reserve Officers Training Course was activated pursuant to General Order No. 44 GHD dated 07 Aug 1967. |
| 1968 October 15 |
The Institute of Extra-Mural Studies was established for non-degree programs like the Human Resource Development program. |
| 1969 July 01 | With the impending graduation of the Associate in Arts scholars, colleges were established and authorized to offer the following courses effective SY 1969-1970 (BOR Res. No. 151, 03 Feb 1969): College of Arts and Letters (CAL): AB Literature, AB Economics, AB Political Science, AB Mass Communication, AB History and AB Psychology. College of Sciences (CS): BS Botany, BS Mathematics, BS Chemistry, BS Geography, BS Geology, BS Physics, BS Medical Teaching and BS Zoology. College of Business Economics and Public Affairs (CBEPA): Bachelor of Economics, Bachelor of Public Administration, Bachelor of Business Management, and BS Criminology. City Teachers College (CTC): Bachelor of Science in Education majors in History, Biology or Mathematics. College of Technology: Divided into 3 divisions, each offering its own courses: -Division of Engineering and Industry: BS Chemical Engineering, BS Civil Engineering, BS Computer Engineering, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering, BS Industrial Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Naval Engineering, and BS Sanitary Engineering; -Division of Technical and Vocational Education: Bachelor of Industrial Education, Bachelor of Technical and Vocational Education; and -Division of Applied Science: Bachelor of Technology major in various Engineering fields. College of Nursing: Bachelor of Science in Nursing. |
| 1970 July 01 | The College of Communication Arts was created and it offered Bachelor of Communication Science. |
| 1971 June | The different divisions of the College of Technology were phased out and only the following courses were offered: BS Chemical Engineering, BS Civil Engineering, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering, and BS Mechanical Engineering. The Institute of Extra-Mural Studies was renamed Institute of Continuing Education and Community Services with the following curricular programs: 1-year General Clerical, 2-year General Secretarial, and 3-year Library Aide courses. |
| 1972 | The CBEPA has evolved into the College of Business Administration, offering BS Business Administration majors in Accounting, Banking and Finance, Economics, Management or Marketing. The City Teachers College was renamed College of Education offering the same curricular programs. |
| 1972 September 27 |
Birth of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) by merging the University College, College of Arts and Letters, College of Sciences and the College of Communication Arts with the aim of fuller integration of courses towards a truly liberal education. The curriculum offerings were: AB Psychology, BS Chemistry, BS Mathematics, BS Zoology, AB Mass Communication and BS Social Work. |
| June 1974 | The Graduate Programs for the Bachelor of Business Management and Business Administration were placed under the College of Business Administration. |
| 1975 | The Physical Education Department was transferred to the College of Arts and Sciences. |
| 1976 | A post-basic/supplemental course to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing was offered. |
| 10 October 1977 | The Master in Government Management was opened in response to the representation of the Chairman of the Commission on Audit to develop a corp of effective government administrators. |
| 1977 | The Graduate College for Teachers offered new programs such as: MA Educational Administration, MA Guidance and Counseling, MA Mathematics, MA Psychology, MA Mass Communication, MA Physical Education, and MA Social Sciences. |
Development era (1978-1988)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1978 | The Physical Education Department's supervision was again passed over to the College of Education. |
| 1979 | All Graduate programs were placed under the Graduate College headed by a Dean and offered these specializations: MS Mathematics Education, MS Mass Communication, MS Educational Administration, MS Biological Science, MS Physical Sciences, MS Social Studies, Bachelor of Business Management, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Industrial Management for Industrial Programs, Master of Government Management, and Doctor of Education major in Educational Management. The University Gymnasium was inaugurated on 21 August, led by Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing. |
| 1980 January 16 |
The Sports, Physical Education and Recreation Department (SPERD) was established (replacing the Physical Education Department of the College of Education) as an independent unit under the direct supervision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. |
| 1980 February 18 |
The Master of Business Administration (Top Executive Program) was designed for a special type of clientele who are already occupying top and supervisory positions. |
| 1981 March 16 |
A straight Master of Business Administration program was offered, focusing on professionals who hold a bachelor's degree in business or management. |
| 1982 | The College of Engineering & Technology offered the BS Manufacturing Engineering. The PLM Computer Center was established as a specialized presidential center to serve both the University and external clients, most notable was the City Government of Manila. The EDP Services of the Office of the Mayor was designated as its official laboratory. (BOR Res. No. 920, 24 August 1982) |
| 1983 | The College of Education offered BSE courses with majors in Communication Arts in English or Filipino, Mathematics, Natural Science, Physical Science, Social Studies or Nutrition, and Health Education. The Graduate School was restructured from the Graduate College with focal areas on: (1) Graduate Program in Arts, Sciences, Education & Nursing (GPASEN) under the administration of the CAS Dean; (2) Graduate Program in Management (GPM) under the administration of the CBA Dean; and (3) Graduate Program in Engineering (GPE) under the CET Dean. The VPAA served concurrently as the Graduate School dean. The deans of CAS, CBA and CET served concurrently as academic directors of the respective graduate programs. The post-basic/supplemental Course of the College of Nursing was abolished, while retaining the BS Nursing. (27 January 1983) |
| 1984 | The BSE major in Physical Science was abolished. The City College and its sub-unit City College Satellite Education Center were opened. The Center offered off-campus education to students who can qualify for admission in selected schools of the Division of City Schools-Manila. The BS Computer Science was offered by the City College. The College of Medicine opened with the degree programs for Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Dental Medicine. A "pay-back" program was created so that the graduates may serve its benefactor, the citizens of the capital city, through community services. |
| 1985 | The Bachelor of Social Work and Management was offered under the College of Arts and Sciences. The Doctor of Business Administration was offered under the Graduate Programs in Management. |
| 1986 | The BS Electronics and Communications Engineering and the BS Manufacturing Engineering were phased out. The former became an area of BS Electrical Engineering while the latter became an area of Mechanical Engineering. Said degrees were restored after a few years. BS Architecture and BS Fine Arts were opened under the CET. |
| 1987 | The BSE major in Nutrition and Health Education was renamed Home Economics and Food Service. |
| 1988 | The College of Nursing offered Diploma in Midwifery, Supplemental Program. The City College was abolished and its courses were absorbed by the academic colleges of CBA, CET and CN. |
Golden era (1989-1999)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1989 | The College of Law opened with a social justice orientation and offered a degree program on Bachelor of Laws. The Manual of Operations of the various units were approved. (PAO No. 1989-15) |
| 1990 | The BOR created the University Extension Programs and Services (UNEPS). (BOR Res. No. 1411, 10 Oct 1990) |
| 1992 | PLM celebrated its Silver (25th) Anniversary foundation. The UNEPS was renamed into the Center for University Extension Services (CUES) and placed it under the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. (PAO No. 1992-07, 03 July 1992) |
| 1993 | The Board approved the PLM Organizational Chart on 03 May 1993. Among salient changes was transferring CUES directly under the Office of the President. |
| 1994 | The first set of PLM Bulletin of Information was published and distributed to the various colleges and offices. |
| 1995 | The Board has corrected PLM's foundation date from 17 July 1967 to 19 June 1965, on the strength of the official authentication by the National Historical Institute in February. (BOR Res. No. 1799) |
| 1996 | The once merged Graduate School was abolished and four (4) separate graduate schools were created, each headed by a Dean: the Graduate School of Arts, Sciences, Education & Nursing (from the GPASEN), the Graduate School of Engineering (from the GPE), and the Graduate School of Business (GSB) and the Graduate School of Government (GSG) (from the GPM). A Graduate Education Council (GEC), chaired by the VPAA, was authorized to perform an oversight responsibility over the general administration of all graduate programs on matters pertaining to the policies and standards of graduate education. (BOR Res. No. 1887, 26 January 1996) |
| 1997 | PLM strengthened its Open University and Distance Learning Program. |
| 1999 | Citing economy measures, the GSB and the GSG, previously splitted from the Graduate Program in Management when separate graduate schools were created, were fused, thereby becoming the Graduate School of Business & Government (GSB/G). (BOR Res. No. 2176, 29 January 1999) The management of the respective computer laboratories were transferred from the PLM Computer Center to the CET and CBPA, thus, forming the Computer & Internet Laboratories Office (CILO) under the CET. The Acting President publicly announced the establishment of a new College of Computer Studies in the next school year by separating the Computer Studies department from CET, pursuant to the international convention of a separate college for this emerging field. The implementation of this policy direction, intended for PLM to be among the pioneers in the country, was forestalled with the appointment of a new OIC-President and, subsequently, a new permanent President. The Institute of Community Health Service and Midwifery was created under the VPAA, while the Distance Learning & Open University Center was created under the President. The PLM Organizational Chart was revised by the Board of Regents on 29 October to include the recently-created units. |
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Renaissance era (2000-Present)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2000 | PLM celebrated the Coral (35th) foundation anniversary with a year-long celebration (19 June 2000-19 June 2001), with the theme: "Team One Pamantasan. Truly Outstanding Pamantasan." The new official PLM website was publicly launched by the President, as part of the Coral anniversary celebration, under the auspices of the then-CILO. Faculty members were allotted free Internet access privileges in CILO (PAO No. 2000-04) The maiden issue of the Pamantasan Star Post, a sunshine publication of the University, was published. The Pamantasang Limbagan ng Maynila (PLM University Press), and the Development Center for Women Studies & Services were established. Transformation of service unit SPERD into a degree-offering college, College of Physical Education, Recreation & Sports, which eventually offered the Bachelor of Physical Education. The then-University Research Center has evolved into the University Center for Research, Conferences & Seminars (UCRCS) which conducted a capability-building lecture series on Research starting September 2000. The PLM Law Center was established. The Manila Studies program under the new Sentro ng Araling Manileno was revived. It was placed under the CAS. |
| 2001 | The University Guidance Center and the Office of the Registrar were fused together as one unit, forming the Office of Admissions, Testing & Guidance Services (OATGS). Establishment of the new College of Tourism, Hotel & Travel Industry Management which offered the Bachelor of Tourism, Hotel & Travel Industry Management. Separation of the Department of Architecture from the CET to form the College of Architecture & Urban Planning. The GSASEN was splitted into (1) the GSASE and (2) the new Graduate School of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences (GSNAHS), making the latter the fourth (4th) graduate school of PLM. (BOR Res. No. 2329, 10 January 2001) The GSB/G was splitted once again: (1) GSB and (2) for the GSG component, the new President Ramon Magsaysay School of Public Governance (PRM-SPG) was established. The then GSB/G dean became the GSB dean, while the University President was appointed by the Board of Regents chairman as the ex-officio PRM-SPG dean. (BOR No. 2327, 10 January 2001) The opening of the PLM District Colleges and the installation of off-campus programs with partner schools in Saudi Arabia and South Korea through visiting professors agreement. The Mabuhay Integrated Learning Center was established to cater to the children of PLM employees. The PLM Computer Center was reinvented into the PLM Information Technology Center (ITC). (BOR Res. No. 2281) The Computer & Internet Laboratories Office, headed by a Director, was detached from CET and placed directly under the Office of the President to manage two (2) components previously handled by the ITC: 1) the computer laboratories, and the 2) PLM's Internet lines, webpages, domain name, and the Web Development Team. The student-led campaign to amend Republic Act 4196 (University Charter) began. |
| 2002 | Strengthening of the College of Education by merging in the Department of Social Work from the CAS, thereby transforming into the College of Human Development. The GSNASH was renamed into the current Graduate School of Health Sciences (GSHS). (BOR Res. No. 2467, 02 April 2002) The GSB was renamed into the Graduate School of Management (GSM). (BOR Res. No. 2521, 27 September 2002) |
| 2003 | The CAS was dissected into three (3) new colleges: College of Liberal Arts, College of Mass Communication, and the College of Science. The CBPA was splitted to give way to the creation of the College of Accountancy & Economics, and the College of Management & Entrepreneurship. The PLM-Civic Welfare Training Service (Rover Scouting) was created pursuant to RA 9163 and out of the efforts of the Oversight Committee (PAO No. 2003-12) and, later, the CWTS Management Group (PAO No. 2003-15). |
| 2004 | PLM implemented the English Proficiency Program that designated areas where scholars and employees are expected to communicate in pure English, designed to amplify the English proficiency of the community. Training programs of English as a Second Language (ESL) were implemented as an institutional support. The PLM Grandstand (Tanghalang Bayan) was built by the City Government of Manila. The Graduate School of Law, launched 0n 07 July 2004 at the Manila Hotel, was established to become the second graduate school of law in the Philippines, offering the Master of Laws (LLM) and the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL). (BOR Res. No. 2686, 29 July 2004) The omnibus guidelines on Scholastic Standing has prescribed the new rules on scholastic classification, abolishing "Warning" while increasing the GWA needed by freshmen to remain under "Good Standing." (PAO No. 2004-19) The Board approved the creation of the Graduate School of Urban Studies and Settlements Planning (GSUSSP) effective October 2004 (Second Semester, SY 2004-2005) and mandated the offering of the Master of Science in Urban Planning that was provisionally placed under CAUP when the program was established in 2001. The GSUSSP, however, did not operationalize. (BOR Res. No. 2696, 11 August 2004) |
| 2005 | PLM celebrated its Ruby (40th) foundation anniversary, with the theme: "Soaring High and Leaving Footprints in pursuit of Quality Education." The General Education (GenEd) Program was implemented with the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science as lead colleges. All freshmen, informally known as "GenEd babies," were accepted without an assigned course. They were subsequently farmed out to various courses upon entry to the sophomore level according to their performance during their first year of studies. The Emeritus College was formed and offered two (2) certificate programs in Special Education (SPED). The PLM Open University and Distance Learning Programs was created as a separate constituent unit of PLM. The Office of the Executive Vice President was recreated by the Board. The PLM Organizational Chart was revised to reflect the City University System of Manila, which included the new constituent units, District Colleges and other recently created units, i.e., Institutional Support Office (ISO), as well as placed the academic units (colleges, professional and graduate schools) under the EVP. CET's separate programs of BS Computer Science, BS Information Technology and BS Information Management were fused into one degree program, BS Computer Studies, with majors in Computer Science and Information Technology. The 2005 University Code was approved for implementation starting SY 2006-2007, subject to refinements. |
| 2006 | The Retention Policy requirements for undergraduates (omnibus rules on Scholastic Standing, PAO No. 2004-19) were modified, among others, deleting the restrictive
"without failing grade" phrase in almost all provisions. It also enabled Probationary scholars who subsequently received another Probationary status (based on their grades) to retain their scholastic standing as such, instead of being summarily "Dismissed." (PAO No. 2006-27). An Administrative Order on the Admission Policies was promulgated to cover the GenEd issues of having accepted "course-less" freshmen in 2005 who were to advance as sophomores with assigned courses. The Master of Arts in Special Education under the Emeritus College was approved in lieu of the SPED certificate programs. The CILO was integrated with the ITC, with the management of the Internet component (i.e., PLM's domain name, web development and network systems) being reverted to its original home and had come full circle on its way back to the ITC. The computer laboratories were transferred to the CET, with the ITC exercising oversight and monitoring functions over the laboratories under the management of the academic units. (PAO No. 2006-22) The Office of the Executive Vice President was abolished by the Board. |
| 2007 | The University Activity Center was built from the proceeds of a donation. The University Library's collection of books was increased. Strong ties with PLM alumni were revitalized with the recognition granted upon the new PLM Alumni Association, Inc. The Office of the Executive Vice President was recreated by the Board. |
| 2008 | Stakeholders' benefits were beefed up with the installation of various infrastructures, including the PLM Fitness Center, lockers for PE students, and a Shuttle Service to at least two (2) points of destination at 5pm and 6pm. The PLM Big Brother project was instituted to enhance the capability of public high school graduands from poor families and increase their chances of passing the PLMAT that is dominated by those coming from well-to-do families. Installation of wi-fi facilities at UAC and free Internet station at the University Library. A social service adult education program (Alternative Learning Program or ALP) kicked off. Supplemental to the ALP is the Community Livelihood Program, a basic skills training designed to develop the out-of-school-youth into self-reliant and productive citizens of the society. The OUDLP was abolished, relocating the surviving EC along the Graduate Schools. |
| 2009 | The President Ramon Magsaysay Entrepreneurial Center was inaugurated in February. The Mabuhay Lounge & Exhibit Hall was transformed into the PLM Pride Hall in March as the home of the symbols of the landmark achievements and contributions to quality education of the PLM community. The General Education Curriculum was modified with the reversion to the traditional program of accepting freshmen with assigned courses upon admission. The Juris Doctor curriculum was opened to replace the Bachelor of Laws curriculum of the College of Law. Rebirth of the PLM website which was lost in 2006; The discovery of the incorrect rendition of the emblazon of the official PLM blazon (PLM seal) and the creation of a correct one. The PLM website and the correct PLM seal were publicly presented by the President on the 44th Foundation day, 19 June 2009. The Gusaling Intramuros was renamed into Gusaling Corazon Aquino, in honor of the former Philippine president. The "pay-back" program in the College of Medicine, in which graduates are called upon to the noble service towards the community, was abolished. The long-awaited elevator for PLM's tallest building, Gusaling Lacson, was installed and inaugurated. The integrated walkway covered the entire campus and connected the various buildings as a respite from rain and shine. The University President tasked the ITC to establish and maintain institutional linkages with development partners. Massive efforts to modernize the campus started. Entire campus was made a free wi-fi zone through converged technologies in September. Sun network's pico cells were installed. Smart network's cellsite was erected. The SWEEP partnership with Smart was inked. Globe network's antenna was panned directly to the PLM campus. Implementation and subsequent strengthening of the Communication Enhancement Program (CEP) tools, including the official PLM email (in partnership with Microsoft) and the official PLM InfoBoard with the official PLM SIM card (in partnership with Smart). The PLM Centralized Printing Service, a highly-subsidized printing service for scholars and employees, was inaugurated by the University President. The highly competitive fees were approved by the Board of Regents. PLM held the distinction as the "first university in the Philippines to deploy the worldwide Live@edu program in full-scale" by providing official PLM email accounts to all scholars, faculty, employees and frontline services. The Office of the Deputy Executive Vice President was created in July and later abolished in October upon the appointment of the incumbent as Executive Vice President. |
| 2010 | PLM celebrated its Sapphire (45th) foundation anniversary, with the theme "Tapat na Pagtalima sa Diwa ng Pamantasang may Malasakit sa Lipunan" A continuing voluntary blood donation program, in various cluster groups, was institutionalized, aiming to provide adequate, accessible and safe blood to the PLM constituents and partners like the Red Cross of the Philippines. The 2-year piloting of the eGrades commenced with expanding focal pilots (class, department, level and college). Institutional linkages continued to expand in terms of partnership and benefits coverage -- scholars and employees alike. |
| 2011 | The PLM Flame of Excellence was transferred to the open field as a beacon for all to emulate excellence as a birthright of PLM. It was replaced on its original location by the Bust of the National Hero who treaded the grounds on which PLM now stands, and whose life and faith in education as the only way of emancipation from poverty has inspired the creation of PLM. The official social media tool of PLM (official FaceBook page), a constituent medium of the Official CEP Media's web media tools, was published as one of PLM's main conduit to directly touchbase with its internal and global stakeholders. The new correct PLM Seal, consistent with the official PLM Blazon, was formally approved by the President for unified use. The first annual research colloqium was unveiled in September in celebration of the National Research Month. The institutional linkage program has strongly expanded its "academe-industry highway," enabling prospective graduates to accept assured job offers by big multinational companies and leading brand names across the globe in as early as five (5) months prior to graduation. |
| 2012 | The Ideas Exchange Room, a testament of PLM's maturity in institutional linkage development policy framework, was inaugurated on 19 Sep 2012 as a showcase modern facility. On hand were the development partner Accenture and the entire PLM community represented by the officials of PLM, PLMAAI, Supreme Student Council & College Councils, faculty and staff. The Board accepted the donation of Accenture from the PLMAAI. (BOR Res. No. 3486, 26 June 2012) Start of the eGrades full-scale deployment across undergraduate colleges, with the CET completely shelving the old paper classcards. A web-based eGrades portal ushers PLM to a wave of digital/electronic academic services. Harnessing institutional development through innovative undertakings has proven to be a keystone in raising the bar of the University’s high repute and excellence. [The optimization of innovative tools and institutional linkages, without any cost to the government, serves as a springboard in shaping long-term institutional strategies and driving new productivity initiatives.] An official PLM Brochure was formally presented to the University Council and distributed to the colleges and schools. The maiden issue of the PLM Research Bulletin, an abstracts compendium of best researches for the 2011 and 2012 reseach colloquia, was published, complementing the PLM Review. Partnership between PLM and UP-Diliman on popularizing the law among public servants across various public agencies. The rapid succession of board topnotchers in various fields has dominated the news all-year-round -- a strong testament to PLM's unbridled excellence. |
| 2013 | The PLM Organizational Chart was revised (v.2012) which, among others salient features, refined and enhanced the line of supervision or authority of line officers, as well as formally reverted the academic units to the VPAA. (BOR Res. No. 3535, 29 January 2013) The manuscript of the 2013 version of the PLM Bulletin of Information, started in 2012, was finalized. The PLM Organizational Chart was enhanced to v.2013 to respond to the demand for a specialized organizational structure. (BOR Res. No. 3638, 16 December 2013) |
N.B.: The above entries, as an institutional memory legacy like any other page of this Official PLM Website, are a mere snapshot of PLM's historical evolution. It is a living document and will ceaselessly accumulate more milestone events as the University vies for a higher dimension of excellence and quality.
Retrospectively, more entries are being added as we cull more information from the old documents of the official archives of the University.
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