The University of Asia and the Pacific is a private, not-for-profit institution of higher learning that offers some of the most outstanding academic programs in Asia. All programs of study at UA&P are grounded in liberal education, which prepares students for their specific specialization by giving them a well-rounded education that cultivates genuine intellectual discipline—a prerequisite to acquiring any specialized knowledge.
An intrinsic part of education in UA&P is mentoring, through which the University’s interdisciplinary offering of knowledge, skills, and values is reinforced through regular, confidential conversations between the student and his or her mentor.
In its institutional programs and activities, UA&P puts due emphasis on the individual, the family, the community, and the world. Each unit of the University thus strives to be a center of excellence, particularly in three areas: values formation, people development,and research and communication. These are the hallmarks of UA&P as an educational institution.The formation of UA&P students is facilitated by an environment conducive to learning, qualified and dedicated teachers, an optimal faculty-to-student ratio, and well-maintained facilities.
Liberal Education
The liberal education program is the bedrock of university studies in UA&P. The University focuses on developing the whole person, as well as combines breadth of learning and professional specialization, in its educational programs. Our students go through a strong liberal education program in their first years in the University. Thereafter, they begin to take subjects in their chosen field of specialization. If they choose a five-year program and meet all its academic requirements, they may graduate with a master’s degree in five years.
As they take up these various areas of knowledge, the students are trained to look at ideas with a critical eye, an analytical mind, and ethical judgment, and to understand issues from differing points of view. And as the subjects are taught using a multidisciplinary approach, the students learn to make connections across disciplines and see the big picture while understanding the complexity of each part. The liberal arts program also trains students to communicate ideas clearly, precisely and persuasively in speech and in writing.
Unitas
While we are constantly looking toward the future, we never lose sight of who we are. Our directive is, and will always be, that of unity. With the UA&P motto, UNITAS, we remind ourselves of our desire to achieve unity in many aspects: unity within the university community, unity between faith and reason, and unity between religion and life. It reflects the commitment of everyone in UA&P toward the pursuit of wisdom, which necessarily entails a unity of life.
Mentoring
Unique to our University, our mentoring program—augmented by our deep appreciation for the liberal arts—nourishes the development of each of our students and brings the integration of knowledge, skills, and values down to the personal level. By treating students as individuals through focused, one-on-one sessions with qualified mentors, we put into practice our belief that higher education should be a singular, meaningful experience that develops the person in every aspect.
UA&P and Opus Dei
The spiritual formation in UA&P is entrusted to Opus Dei, a Personal Prelature of the Catholic Church. Opus Dei ensures the doctrinal and moral soundness of the other aspects of formation imparted in the University.
Founded by St. Josemaría Escrivá in 1928, Opus Dei strives to spread the universal call to holiness and apostolate. His spiritual legacy underpins the University’s educational principles, which guide all policy and procedural decisions and actions: lay spirituality, freedom of conscience, love for the poor, care for details, passionate love for the world, love for the Church and the Pope, Christian identity, and collegiality in governance.
