La Consolacion


UNIVERSITY

HISTORY


BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LCUP

Early Beginning - Year 1937 to 1991

The La Consolacion University Philippines is a co-educational Catholic institution established formerly as Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, in May 1937 and administered by the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation (ASOLC). The school was founded when Doña Estefania Del Rosario Vda. De Jacinto, a sister of Mother Catalina de Jesus, OSA, donated a portion of their land for the education of the children of poor families in Barasoain. At that time, it was then the only educational institution in the locality.Read More ...

Early Childhood Education and Elementary courses were initially offered. In 1940, three special vocational courses: typing, stenography, and dressmaking were opened. The outbreak of World War II forced the closure of the school. However, upon the insistence of the Japanese occupation forces, the school re-opened with the offering of a secondary course.

Enrollment continued to increase in the succeeding years. The quality of instruction dramatically improved owing to the constant entry of a qualified teaching force. Campus discipline was also strictly enforced; facilities were expanded; and, new buildings were constructed. In 1965, the need was felt to reopen the College Department. More tertiary-level courses were included in the curriculum. Meanwhile, the school management acquired an additional lot meant for the expansion of the College Campus.

In 1967, the school’s name was changed from Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Carmen to Regina Carmeli College.

In August 1979, RCC adopted the Catholic School System Development (CS-SSD) program. The Program aimed to promote strongly the formation of personnel, systematize operations, and upgrade the standards in preparation for the long-range plan of the school for voluntary accreditation.

On August 27, 1984, a solemn ceremony took place to celebrate the laying of the cornerstone of the extension building of Regina Carmeli College on a five-hectare lot at Catmon, Malolos, Bulacan. The move manifested the desire of the institution to play a more decisive role in the education of the Bulakeños. The new campus was blessed and dedicated in a solemn liturgical ceremony on July 4, 1985.

Responding to the needs of the Commerce graduates from Malolos and the nearby key towns of Bulacan, the CPA Review Center was conceived and realized in May 1986. The Center produced successful CPAs and an alumnus who placed seventh in the CPA Board Examinations.

The year 1987 marked RCC’s 50th anniversary. The blessing of the Sisters’ residence in Catmon and an institutional musical presentation entitled, “Color It Gold!” highlighted the celebration of the Golden Jubilee Year.

In pursuance of the institution’s thrust for quality and excellence, the Grade School Department had its first PAASCU Formal Survey in October 1988 followed by the High School Department.

In furtherance of its goal to develop high-level human resources, RCC formally opened its Graduate School Department in June 1991. For its initial offering, the Department accepted graduate students in the field of Behavioral Science with majors in Anthropology, Sociology and Psychology. Presently, the Graduate School offers six doctorate programs and 24 masterate programs. Hide


1993-2005

As a result of its constant search for ways to translate into concrete realities her pro-people educational thrusts, RCC launched its Adult Night High School program in 1993. The program offered free secondary education, following a DECS-approved 5-year night high school curriculum. Beneficiaries of the program are underprivileged adults who do not have the financial capability to pursue formal education beyond basic elementary schooling. The first batch of graduates was composed of three students conferred in 1998.

The first formal attempt to apply for university status took place in 1993. The President sent a formal letter of intent, together with a project proposal for the conversion of the Regina Carmeli College to a University. Read More ...

After years of extensive experience in the delivery of community outreach programs that serviced the community, the Mother Rita Barcelo Outreach and Livelihood Corporation (MRBOLC), an institutional unit that focuses on adopting communities and ensuring continuity of livelihood and other supportive basic services to individuals, groups, and communities, launched its noteworthy project to date in 1994 – the Mother Rita Homes. The program, funded by the Committee of German Doctors for Developing Countries, sought to provide low-cost housing units initially to 200 indigent families of Malolos and Guiguinto.

On June 8, 1998, the school was formally inaugurated as a university in Catmon, City of Malolos The event also witnessed the investiture of the first University President, Sister Carmeli Ma. Catan, OSA who had previously served as College Directress/Dean from 1984 to 1997. Alongside the investiture of the first University President, the institution consistently upheld its mission of producing competent and world-class learners with the prowess and heart of a Marian-Augustinian. Embarking on local and international accrediting arenas in the year 2003, the institution was granted its first ISO 9001:2000 Certification. Moreover, CHED awarded the university the Deregulated Status which served as an emblem that signified a well-established higher education institution with excellence, outstanding performance of graduates in the licensure examinations, and a long tradition of integrity and untarnished reputation.

The next five years bore many milestones worthy of note including the strengthening of accreditation and quality assurance with the great number of successful accreditations of various programs, notable of which were the PAASCU Level III Accredited Status of Basic Education Department and the granting of Level III status by PACUCOA to the Master of Science in Public Administration program, the second program in the country to be granted such status.

In August 1979, RCC adopted the Catholic School System Development (CS-SSD) program. The Program aimed to promote strongly the formation of personnel, systematize operations, and upgrade the standards in preparation for the long-range plan of the school for voluntary accreditation.

Sr. Niceta M. Vargas, OSA, was installed as the second president of URC on June 4, 2005. On June 12, the Barasoain Center for Innovative Education (BarCIE) officially launched a mission college, URC-San Rafael, in San Rafael, Bulacan initially offering Commerce and Education courses. Hide


2008-2012

The institution also made efforts to build bridges with international institutions and organizations. These initiatives involved inking Memoranda of Agreement with the Daegu Health College in South Korea, St. Joseph School Bangkok Thailand, LUMOS Leuven, Belgium, and Bridge of Life Foundation –Davita Missions USA. The institution also embarked on membership with the Association of Asia and the Pacific. These forged partnerships and memberships paved the way for opportunities to explore research collaborations, benchmarking, joint community extension endeavors, cultural exchange, and cross-border education programs. In 2008, the institution, with Dr. Belen de Jesus as project proponent, emerged as a leader in Region III when it won the Regional Outstanding Award in a community extension project entitled “The University of Regina Carmeli (URC) Community Development and Extension Program and Its Organizational Feature.” The year 2009 ended with a blessing - the celebration of the 70th Founding Anniversary of URC inspired by the theme “The University of Regina Carmeli a Seventy-Year Journey Toward Educational Excellence.” Read More ...

Sr. Editha S. Zerna, OSA was installed as the third URC president on June 4, 2010.

The year 2010 commenced with a blessing and inauguration of the La Consolacion University General Hospital situated in the town of Plaridel. This hospital not only provided medical services to the community but also served as a training facility for the allied medical students of the institution.

Maintaining the University’s competitive edge, the management enhanced the academic programs by expanding the curricular courses to bring in new sets of students. The institution offered ten new undergraduate courses and four post-graduate programs including Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSPsyc), Bachelor of Science in Biology (BSBIO); Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT); Bachelor of Science in Information System (BSIT); Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW); Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRT); Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED-SPED); Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA); Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN); Master of Information Technology (MIT), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA); Doctor in Public Administration (DPA); Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Educational (EdD), with more course offerings, the college enrollment started to increase. The exciting events of the third millennium demonstrate URC’s ability to sustain its thrust of providing Bulacan and other provinces of Luzon educational services in the arena of effective instruction, relevant research, functional extension service, and above all, quality Catholic tertiary education - as it is the only Catholic Augustinian University in the province.

On January 8, 2011, by a congregational decision that schools being run by the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation carry one name, the University of Regina Carmeli was officially renamed La Consolacion University Philippines. With this new name, LCUP committed itself even more to being a provider of world-class, professionally competent human resources who are catalysts for the sustainability of a Christo-Centric Stewardship in the community and the society.

The year 2012 shone another ray of light and hope for the institution as it celebrated its 75 years of existence. Commemorated momentously, 75 Outstanding Alumni from various disciplines were given recognition and the first-ever International Conference on Interdisciplinary Research Innovations (ICIRI) was made possible, graced by more than 250 presenters coming from renowned academic institutions around the globe. Hide


2014-2020

For the Academic Year 2014 - 2015, LCUP stepped up its efforts in providing quality education and producing quality and globally competitive graduates. All board courses offered by LCUP have yielded results that were well above the national passing rate and all accredited programs stepped up on its level. In this academic year as well, the Commission on Higher Education opened the application for Autonomous Status to all eligible and aspiring higher education institutions. The university, from then on, made its move and commenced with the preparations. Administrators teamed up and compiled evidence of academic programs with accreditation level, institutional international certifications, proof of international and local linkages, research productivity, instruction, and other relevant evidence. Read More ...

The Academic Year 2015-2016, under the administration of Sr. Imelda A. Mora, OSA, PhD., commenced with a groundbreaking achievement, inking another milestone in the chronicle of the institution. The University was granted Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) during the 22nd CHED Anniversary Celebration held at the CHED Auditorium, UP Diliman, Quezon City, joining five other private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Region III to receive such a prestigious privilege and commendation. In addition, the Graduate School’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program has been granted a five-year Level IV Accreditation Status –the highest accreditation status given by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA).

Since 2015, when its building construction and course-program preparation started, the institution opened its doors to future doctors of the country, launching the College of Medicine on August 14, 2017. Indeed another big leap of the institution for it is the first ever school in the whole province of Bulacan to offer a course in Medicine. To provide the best quality of education to the pioneering batch of Medicine students, LCUP hired competent and skillful doctors from renowned and established medical schools in Manila to serve as faculty.

LCUP welcomed the AY 2018-2019 with a second-time leader in the person of Sr. Editha S. Zerna, OSA, Ph.D., who directed the growth of the university for the next five years energetically.

Coming together marks the beginning, staying together reflects progress, and working together leads to fruitfulness. LCUP’s strength is amplified through its partnerships with higher education institutions (HEIs), making collaboration a cornerstone of its mission. On May 30, 2018, LCUP formalized a partnership with Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU) in Taipei, Taiwan. A delegation of 36 representatives from LCUP engaged in a three-day benchmarking activity. In line with both universities’ commitment to internationalization, this partnership opened doors for collaborative research among faculty members, cultural exchange programs for students and faculty, joint academic projects, and scholarship opportunities.

In March 2020, the world was struck by the outbreak of the coronavirus. The severe risks and disruptions caused by the virus triggered a significant shift in global events and continued to pose health threats well into 2023. The pandemic forced various industries to adapt to a new normal, and academic institutions were no exception—prompting them to rethink and restructure their operations to ensure continuity in education and safety for all.

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2020-2022

The dangers of the global pandemic, however, never set back the institution from its dedication to its vision and mission. Adapting to the new normal through flexible learning schemes, the University continued to deliver quality education from one computer or cellular device to another. This learning method materialized through using Google for Education Enterprise spurred the impetus to shift all learning and teaching activities, whether in a synchronous or asynchronous mode, to the virtual classroom. The sudden shift was never an easy path, but the institution’s shared struggle transformed into a shared responsibility to the community. LCUP also joined hands with the local government unit in facilitating vaccination programs and establishing community pantries in its partner communities.
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From 2020 to 2022, as the world adjusted to the realities of the new normal, LCUP remained steadfast in its commitment to advancing Instruction, Research, and Extension. Despite the challenges posed by social distancing, the LCUP community continued to nurture spiritual and religious formation through online celebrations and activities. Even across great distances, the institution forged international alliances through virtual signing ceremonies with partners in India, South Korea, Dubai, Sri Lanka, the USA, and China. These years also ushered in a wave of opportunities, reinforcing LCUP’s legacy of providing academic and discursive platforms to address pressing issues during uncertain times. A milestone in this journey was the launch of the first-ever LCUP–Globus Education and Research Association (GE&RA) International Web Conference, born from a shared mission between the two institutions. Additionally, the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Research Innovations (ICIRI) was successfully revived for its fourth installment, further strengthening LCUP’s global academic presence.

After two years of navigating hybrid learning, the university’s corridors and classrooms once again came alive as LCUP fully reopened for face-to-face instruction. Offices resumed full operations to support the demands of in-person learning. Though smiles and laughter remained hidden behind face masks, the light in everyone’s eyes reflected unwavering hope and resilience. What made 2022 even more memorable was the celebration of LCUP’s 85th Founding Anniversary. On December 4, the entire community stood united on the same grounds once walked by the institution’s revered foundresses, commemorating this historic milestone together. The highlight of University Week culminated on this special day, as LCUP proudly welcomed His Eminence Cardinal José Fuerte Advincula, D.D., proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis and Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila. He was warmly received by the University President Sr. Editha S. Zerna, OSA, PhD; Superior General Sr. Eden L. Gicana, OSA; Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo, D.D.; Rev. Fr. Domingo Salonga; and Hon. Governor Daniel R. Fernando.

The institution’s vast efforts in sustaining and enhancing its program accreditations and quality assurance certifications throughout the years resulted in successful outcomes, as it was hailed by PACUCOA as the institution with the highest number of accredited programs in Region III and the institution with the highest number of level 1 formal accredited programs in the whole country.

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2023 - Present

The year 2023 stood as a testament to LCUP’s enduring strength, courage, and gratitude. It was a time to honor the legacy of those who paved the way, and to renew our commitment to the university’s vision, mission, and goals. Twenty-five years prior, LCUP had only dreamed of becoming the institution it is today. In 2023, that dream was not only realized—it was elevated. The university community dared to grow beyond its past, striving to uphold academic excellence and provide the best possible university experience for its students. This milestone year reminded us of how far we’ve come, and inspired us to continue reaching for greater heights.
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The beginning of 2023 was marked by a proud achievement for LCUP, as four of its graduates emerged as topnotchers in the 2022 Radiologic Technologist Licensure Examination—an accomplishment that underscored the university’s commitment to academic excellence. That same year, LCUP welcomed back Sr. Niceta M. Vargas, OSA, as University President, ushering in a new academic year in June with renewed vigor and dedication to its legacy of innovation and quality education.

Throughout 2023, LCUP continued to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible and globally competitive. The university expanded its international reach through strategic partnerships with St. Joseph Nakae School in Thailand and Huey Deng High School in Taiwan. These collaborations fostered cultural exchange, enriched academic programs, and created new opportunities for faculty and students to engage with diverse global perspectives.

LCUP’s participation in the 15th Asian Conference on Education (ACE) in Tokyo further highlighted its dedication to educational advancement and global dialogue. The university also celebrated a milestone in international internships, as students from the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM) trained at The Slate, Phuket Pearl Resort in Thailand. Meanwhile, Education students from the CASE Department conducted their practice teaching in Nakae, Thailand—marking a significant step in post-pandemic professional development. These experiences reflected LCUP’s continued pursuit of excellence and its mission to prepare students for a dynamic and interconnected world.

In 2023, as LCUP celebrated its 86th Founding Anniversary, it also marked a significant milestone—25 years since its elevation to university status. This silver anniversary was a heartfelt tribute to the triumphs and challenges that shaped LCUP into the respected institution it is today, reaffirming its vital role in the community and the lives of its students.

Under the renewed leadership of Sr. Niceta M. Vargas, OSA, the university charted a bold course for the future. Administrators developed the Strategic Long Range Plan for Academic Years 2024–2025 to 2029–2030, providing a clear roadmap for sustained growth and innovation.

As face-to-face learning fully resumed, the campus once again buzzed with life. Students eagerly participated in a wide array of activities—from business simulations and dance competitions to youth jams and fun booths—reclaiming the vibrant campus experience that had been paused during the pandemic. LCUP students also excelled in various academic and extracurricular competitions. Basic Education students secured third place in Feature Writing at the National Schools Press Conference, while a CASE student won first place in Comic-Strip Making at the Luzon Higher Education Press Conference.

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La Consolacion University Philippines