From a postwar vocational school to a globally ranked university

Thirty three years ago, the seed to become the Baguio Central University on August 15, 1977 was planted in Baguio City in 1945 as the Centro Academy, a vocational school. My husband and I prayed from day to day that the school will survive the exigencies of the time.

Slowly, the foundation was reinforced with continued vigor, hope and since, patient and sustained efforts. There were times when the path seemed unsurmountable especially when competition became so keen, that sleepless nights or evaluation whether to go on or not followed. Every month, a special day of prayer was heard by both of us (my husband and I) in our hometown to pray for greater strength and inspiration to let live a semi hopeless venture considering the giants in the educational field we were with. Unkind predictions, here and there hurt us. To many, an only time was awaited for the closure of the school. The greatest surprise we ever had was, that at the end of every school year was the survival of the school despite all odds. Each year that passed by, God gave us the light to plan better, work with the vision of success. An unseen guiding hand let to the completion of yearly outlined goals.

Today, I am invested as first president of the school that my dear beloved and I founded. Belong, (my husband) has fallen on our path in 1972, but before he closed his eyes. I read what he meant, that, I continue the work we both began, for then he would be happy that his unselfish efforts to let me succeed with not have been in vain.

Belong, my love our dream has been realized. I am happy yet my heart is heavy. I can’t write further.

— Margarita Joven Fernandez

In 1945, immediately after World War II, the late Godofredo H. Fernandez with the able assistance of his wife (the late President Margarita Joven Fernandez) opened a vocational school – the Centro Academy under a single proprietorship and offered vocational skills needed in war.

By 1949, a high school academic program was added to the vocational school and was later named as Centro Industrial School. It offered general secondary curriculum with options for vocational training for those who cannot pursue higher education.

With an aim to provide a wider scope of educational training and to meet the demands of the growing region, the vocational school, which was under a single proprietorship, was turned into a private corporation. From 1951 – 1953, the institution offered college courses leading to the degrees, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Secondary and Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The Bachelor of Laws and Engineering courses were offered on 1953 and Master of Arts in Education in 1955. For successive years, the institution had undergone expansion in academic programs. From 1971 – 1977, there were other courses that were offered. These are Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Doctor of Education, Master in Public Administration. It was during these years of development when the institution was named as Eastern Philippine Colleges and renamed as the Lyceum of Baguio before it become the Baguio Central University.

In December 2, 1978, Dr. Margarita J. Fernandez became the first president of Baguio Central University. This marked the fulfillment of a husband and wife’s dream beginning with a humble Centro Vocational School founded in 1945.

In 1985, a two – year course in Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management was opened.

The few numbers of pre-schools in Baguio City drove BCU to put its own pre-school in 1987. Thus, the Growing-Up Learning Center stood. Its programs are geared toward experiential learning where learning is fun and fulfilling.

The continuous advancement in technology brought challenges to the institution in the early 90’s thus short degree courses include a year course in Computer Technology. Associate degree in Computer Science, and Associate degree in Computer Secretarial and eventually in 1993, the four – year course in Computer Science was offered. That same year the Doctorate program in Philosophy was added to the curriculum.

Baguio Central University has lived and continued to soar to a high endeavor through libertad (liberty), justitia (justice), veritas (truth), and equitas (equity).

Throughout the years, Baguio Central University has moved forward with the administration of Dr. Margarita J. Fernandez. Its expansion covers the academic programs as well as the physical structure of the school.

In 2001, the institution responded to the demands of the global market, the 6 – month caregiver program was added to its curricular offerings. In 2002, Baguio Central University was deputized to implement the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). The ETEEAP educational scheme recognizes knowledge, skills, and prior learning obtained by the individuals from his or her formal and informal experiences.

In 2003, the College of Medicine and College of Criminology were opened. The College of Medicine is considered to be the second in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

In 2006, the Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Liberal Arts has been granted Level I accreditation. In 2007, these programs were scheduled for Level II visit. However, the visit did not materialize.

In 2011, the courses Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Bachelor of Science in Tourism, and Associate in Hotel and Restaurant Management were separated from the College of Business Administration to form the latest independent college of the University – the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

In December 2, 2011, Mrs. Margarita Cecilda Bulaqueña Rillera, granddaughter of Dr. Margarita Fernandez was installed University President. She continues to uphold the legacy left by her grandmother in realizing the vision, mission and objectives of the University.

In 2013, the following programs underwent consultancy visit by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA).

In 2015, the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) granted candidate status for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management valid until 2017.

In October 2017, the programs of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management underwent the Level I accreditation while the programs of Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Liberal Arts, the preliminary visit by PACUCOA.

In December 2017, PACUCOA approved and recommended to FAAP the programs of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management for the Level I Formal Accreditation valid from 2017 – 2020 while the programs of Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Liberal Arts, the candidate status valid from 2017 – 2019.

In 2018, the programs of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management were granted the Level I Accreditation while the programs of Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Liberal Arts were granted the candidate status.

In 2020, the programs of Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Elementary Education, and Liberal Arts were granted Level I Accreditation.

In 2021, the programs of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management were granted the Level II Re-accredited status.