HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Jose Rizal University was originally founded as the Far Eastern College School of Accounts, Commerce, and Finance in 1919 as a non-stock, non-profit and non-sectarian private educational institution to blaze the trail in the field of commercial education. Its founder was the late Vicente Fabella, the first Filipino certified public accountant. The name was subsequently changed to Jose Rizal College in 1922, in honor of the great Filipino patriot and martyr who tried to awaken his countrymen in his writings to the need for economic self-sufficiency and independence.
The University was first located at R. Hidalgo Street in Quiapo, Manila. It offered the four-year bachelor's degree course in Commerce, as well as the high school course. It has continued to provide educational services since 1919 except during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, when it remained closed as a gesture of protest in spite of repeated attempts by the occupation authorities at the time to have it opened.
The University reopened after the end of the war in 1945 and, faced with the need for expanded facilities, transferred in 1950 to its present site in Mandaluyong City, then part of the province of Rizal and subsequently Metro Manila.
The University is a founding member of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) in 1932, the Philippine Association of Collegiate Schools of Business (PACSB) in 1962, the Private Education Retirement Annuity Association (PERAA) in 1974, and the Philippine Association of Personnel Management in Private Schools (PAPMIPS) in 1997.
During its more than half-a-century of existence, the University has achieved the singular distinction of having produced a remarkable number of successful graduates who have enjoyed the respect of the nation. Among them are a President of the Philippines, a justice of the Supreme Court, several members of the legislature and of the Cabinet, some ambassadors, no less than 20 heads of banks and financial corporations, several heads of educational institutions, acknowledged leaders in the various fields of industry, commerce, agriculture and trade, and armed forces officers of general rank. It can rightfully claim that it has contributed its share in the molding of character and training of the successful graduates.
The careful combination of proven competence in instruction pIus valuable experience in the practice of the profession has been the guide of the University in the selection of faculty members. This policy, combined with carefully planned programs in the various disciplines and adequate facilities has formed the basis for the impressive educational record of the University.
PRESENT TIMES
Through the years, Jose Rizal University has lived up to its mission and vision of developing indispensable and responsible citizens that would not only succeed in today's rapidly changing technological world but also graduates, who possess sensitivity, creativity, integrity, vision and leadership potentials. Believing in the value of an education that is both bound in the realms of theoretical concepts and in technical application, JRU provides students with a balanced curriculum that would instill in them the values of integrity and discipline – priceless commodities in today's job market.
One of its leading programs, Commerce, aims to prepare students for a gainful and intellectually satisfying role in business through exposure to the major functional areas of business like production, finance, personnel, and marketing. It also instills supportive computational and communications skills and provides familiarity of the framework of business, inclusive of the roles of government, and the importance of business ethics.
JRU's Education program, on the other hand, develops in the students skills and competencies that they would need upon entering the teaching profession, primarily in the first and second levels. With full knowledge of the various inputs, areas of training, and competencies essential to professional educational practice, each subject is designed to ensure the broadest possible social as well as academic and professional training for its students, allowing them to become not only an effective teacher but human as well.
With the aim of acquainting students with the major areas of intellectual knowledge, namely, the natural sciences, the social sciences, and the humanities, the Liberal Arts program provides an in-depth study of these subjects and more. Fostered with a desirable intellectual facility through the development of clarity of thought and expression, a compassionate insight into human needs and aspirations, moral and aesthetic awareness, candidates for the A.B. degree could major in Economics, English, History, or Mathematics.
The Computer Engineering Program differs from the existing Bachelor in Commercial Science, major in Computer Science. The former, which takes five full years to complete, is much more focused on the engineering and hardware aspects of computer science, while the BCS Computer Science major is primarily concerned with the design and utilization of software and hardware programs, oftentimes also called Information Technology.
Like the other bachelor's programs, the engineering program will require a general education component, however, certain of the distribution subjects stipulated under the other degree programs will not be required for Computer Engineering, which contains much great requirements in certain field, more specifically, those in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Furthermore, the Computer Engineering program will take five full years to complete. At the present time, there are no plans to offer other choices of majors in Engineering.
With the growing demand for nurses abroad, JRU's Nursing program has enjoyed increased popularity. Not only is the College of Nursing committed to develop graduates who would function as effective nursing professionals but also people who would commit themselves to dedicated service to their fellowmen.
Through the effective transfer of relevant knowledge and desirable values, the inculcating respect for the truth and encouraging active participation in the process of national development, JRU has remained a stronghold of truth, morality and wisdom. By teaching to its students the duties of citizenship, the values of moral character and personal discipline and the importance of achieving scientific, technological, and vocational efficiency, it has cradled and cultivated Filipinos that would play pivotal roles in the country's progress.
