A leading Christian institution committed to total human development for the well-being of society and environment.
Silliman is one of select higher education institutions in the country granted autonomous status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The same government agency has also designated Silliman as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education and Teacher Education and a Center of Development in Accountancy, Anthropology, Biology and Information Technology Education. It is also one of select universities granted membership with CHED’s Philippine Higher Education Research Network, the higher cluster of universities carefully selected based on strength in research and publications.
The University has been granted Institutional Accreditation (the highest) by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies in the Philippines, the umbrella organization of accrediting agencies. Just like other top universities, Silliman’s academic programs undergo regular evaluation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities, the Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities-Accrediting Agency, Inc., or the Association of Theological Education in Southeast Asia. It is one of Philippine universities with the most number of accredited programs. With support from the United Evangelical Mission, it is a Center for Mission Studies in Asia.
All of the country’s top universities would boast of offering quality education. Silliman is no different. But while it joins the ranks of prestigious Philippine universities, it is humbled by a gift of a location that bespeaks of the natural environment’s complement to academic learning — one feature that sets Silliman apart from the rest.
Dotted with over 300 acacia trees, the Silliman campus is uniquely embraced in between views of the Cuernos de Negros mountains in its background and the Visayan sea at its frontage. The 62-hectare campus offers patches of greens on where personal relationships are nurtured, spiritual nourishment facilitated, and the concept of quality student life redefined.Silliman University is a melting pot of cultures and religions. Of its overall population of more than 9,000, over 400 are international students from 44 countries. Its affiliation with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines as a Protestant university has never been a hindrance to the exercise of religious freedom. Majority of Silliman students are Roman Catholics and a good number are Muslims.
The university is located in the charming city of Dumaguete, dubbed the ‘City of Gentle People,’ an hour away by plane from Manila and four hours away by boat from Cebu. Silliman thrives in a city where the strip of restaurants offering good food along the boulevard and where everything a student needs are just a stone’s throw away. While offering the coveted ‘retirement getaway’ environment, the city is not left behind by progress. You can find infrastructure developments and businesses sprouting in support of the city’s “University Town” concept.
Campus life revolves around the motto Via, Veritas, Vita (of Christ being the Way, the Truth, the Life). It is Silliman’s mission to develop the whole person within the Christian context and in a sound environment. Students are expected to put their education to work in service to others — another mark that distinguishes Silliman from other institutions of higher learning.
It is also the conducive residential campus life that sets Silliman University apart from the other leading universities in the Philippines. The 12 regular and cooperative dormitories provide a “home away from home” for Silliman students who come from outside Dumaguete. In the dormitories, students belong to a family, a part of the bigger Silliman community. Corollary to this sense of community is the “Silliman Spirit” – an atmosphere of personal closeness, warmth, friendship and concern.
To most Americans in the late 1800, Dumaguete was a name their tongue was still to master. It was unfamiliar to them.Even the Philippines, which at that time was still recovering from the onslaught of the Spanish-American War, was not on the immediate list for a Presbyterian mission. But it took the vision and commitment of a man to turn this around.The late Dr. Arthur Carson, third Silliman president, wrote in his book how a man’s strong resolve to help shape Philippine education paved the way for the establishment of Silliman University. This man was Dr. Horace B. Silliman, a retired businessman of the town of Cohoes in New York State.
In 1899, Dr. Silliman appeared at the office of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions with the conviction that the Filipino people would need a new kind of education. To support this, he contributed the initial sum of $10,000 toward the founding of an industrial school. Legend has it that the Board Secretary was surprised and explained that the Board had only begun to consider a mission in the Philippine islands. At that time, news was fresh on the naval victory of Admiral Dewey over the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. The Board Secretary thought it would be too early for a school.But the visitor persisted. Something had caught his imagination about these islands, and the people whom he had never seen and whom he would never meet.Dr. Silliman had long been an active supporter of schools and colleges. Among such institutions was Hampton Institute of Virginia, and his proposal to the Presbyterian Board was for an industrial school in the Philippines on the Hampton model.
The mission in the Philippines started with Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard and wife, Laura, who were commissioned to head it. Three areas were considered: Cebu, Zamboanga and Iloilo. While in Cebu, someone suggested for him to make a side trip to Dumaguete. Sailing from Cebu on a Saturday night, he came out early on deck the next morning and saw ‘the unsurpassed drama of a Dumaguete morning from the sea.’It was told that the friendly attitude of the people and the caliber of the local officials attracted him to Dumaguete, a ‘place of health and beauty.’
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I am a true Sillimanian having graduated in batch 1987 Bachelor in Business Adminnistration Major in Accounting and Finance. Wherever I have gone in the world as an Executive or as a Businesswoman or as International Real Estate And Business Broker I never forget where I came from and acknowledge Silliman University for the contributions and what it has molded me into.
By Rose Marie Tornandizo (Sep, 2017) |
Loyal will I be to Silliman! <3
I am beyond blessed to have studied in my dream school. This is the institution where you get to experience diversity in culture, holistic formation of faith and inculcating young minds with a love of learning.
By Angelica Saguban (Aug, 2017) |
Silliman did not just prepare me for life; it gave me life. As long as I breathe, my dearest "Silliman beside the sea" will always have a very special place in my heart.
By Maria Celeste Lim Vincoy (Aug, 2017) |
Silliman education is learning in the classroom and in life, equally at the same time. I have the fondest memories while I was at Silliman. I left my heart in Silliman University. So, wherever life may take me, Silliman will always be my home.
By Carmee Tolentino (Aug, 2017) |
Education was not enclosed in the four walls of the classroom. Silliman teaches you to see the reality of life on a different perspective The best university ever. Whole person education and it compels you to serve your country after you leave its halls.
By Erika Jean Quiñones (Aug, 2017) |
Silliman taught me to celebrate diversity and helped me discover the things I'd then be passionate about. My four years in Silliman easily became the best years of my life!
By Princess Decierdo (Aug, 2017) |
Silliman taught and mold me to be a better, compassionate, effecient and effctive professional. Proud to be a sillimanian. So many great memories and friedship. One of the best things happened to me was my college life in Silliman. #sillimanspirit . Thank you!
By Hanna Tumulak (Aug, 2017) |
The community life is very much imposed in Silliman University. I'm grateful that we spent our formative years in this environment! It was like, living with a huge family, and everyone has a responsibility to take care of each other, and all the things in it. And the quality of education is like no other! A Sillimanian will somehow, rise above, one way or another :)
By Mercy Grace G. Tolentino (Aug, 2017) |
Of all the few good memories that I have in store one stands out the most. That is my being so fortunate enough, to have studied in one of the Greatest Pillars of Education in Southeast Asia, My Dearest Alma Mater, Silliman University. There are things about Silliman University which can make a person decide not to leave. Though it may seem of an invalid excuse why it took me quite a long time to finish my studies there but the goading attitude of the Students circulating around its campus as well as the friendly people inhabiting Dumaguete City are just probably some of the factors to name. The generosity and kindness being sprinkled in the air by the people of Dumaguete is so addictive it made me look like a bona fide negrense. The Silliman Spirit is something that is so hard to separate from with, much more let go when you have come accustomed to. If given a chance to turn back time would I have made the same choice? I probably would have, simply because, had I not gone to study in that School, I would not have met the Friends that I have in my life right now which I value the most. Long Live Silliman University!
By Lyle Pocs (Aug, 2017) |
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Silliman gave me my most unforgettable academic experiences. I will never forget our finals in Physics where there was only 1 question. Open notes Open books Open everything. There were still no computers then. The question: Extract the formula of relativity “E=mc2”. To my surprise and with Gods grace and guidance, I passed.
By Sam Domingo (Jul, 2018) |