Universidad de Zamboanga 5.19

On October 12, 1948, the time when Zamboanga City was reconstructed following the Japanese occupation during World War II (1939-1945), Engineer Arturo Francisco Eustaquio founded the Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges (ZAEC). The founding of ZAEC was a fulfillment of an inspiring togetherness of the three former prisoners at San Ramon Penal Colony during the Japanese period that developed a special kind of friendship. They were Engineer Arturo F. Eustaquio, Mr. Tomas A. Castillo and Mr. Leon B. Dannug.

At the onset of the college, Mr. Tomas A. Castillo, with a BSE degree, served as the Principal of the high school department and as the School Registrar; Professor Leon B. Dannug, with Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degree, became the College Dean; while Eng. Arturo Francisco Eustaquio oversaw the entire operation as the President.

The Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges (ZAEC) was established with the main objective of providing affordable education to the underprivileged. This aim was driven by the founder’s dream and inspired by his own life story for he himself was once a struggling UP scholar. Eng. Eustaquio wanted a school that would embody the ideals and aspirations of the youth, live up to the expectations of the people of a school for everybody, regardless of social standing, religion, political affiliations, and one that imparts a higher level of understanding that enable students to be successful in their professional and personal endeavor.

Zamboanga A.E. Colleges started with a Secondary School, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and College of Commerce with a total of 479 students. Classes were originally held at the former Mendoza Building where Young Mart is now located. By June of 1949, ZAEC was moved to its new home, the present city campus. In the same year, the first High School Graduation took place and the Complete Academic Secondary Course was granted government recognition. The first batch of college graduates was turned over in 1952.

In the year 1955, the course Bachelor of Arts (AB) with majors in English, Filipino, and History has earned government recognition. While in the year 1956, ZAEC opened a One-Year course in Pre-Nursing that lasted up to summer of ’79. The Graduate Course in Education along with the One-Year course in Secretarial was also offered in the same year.

Due to the demand of technology linked courses in Southern Philippines the introduction of technology related programs steadily increased. Thus by 1969, the courses Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BS Chem.) were offered and brought about the birth of the College of Engineering. By August 3, 1974, the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering earned government recognition and by May 31, 1979, the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering also earned government recognition.

The ZAEC administration saw the need of allied medicine related course thus in 1971 when the College of Medical Technology was opened. This college became the leading department when the Allied Medical courses were offered in 1991.

Arturo Eustaquio III, the sixth son of Arturo Eustaquio Sr and Rosa Fargas took over the Presidency of Zamboanga A. E. Colleges in 1975. From being the personal driver of his father and as the school's Administration Officer at the age of sixteen (16), Archie was mentored by his father to lead the institution. He devoted his time and brilliance trailing the advancement of a college to a university. He never stopped learning and or even better for the welfare of the institution that his father passed on to him. He broaden the horizons of learning by opening more curricular programs in the areas of business, education, engineering, health sciences, criminal justice, technical education and graduate studies.
The College of Criminology was opened in 1976 under the supervision of the CEO & President Arturo F. Eustaquio III. Atty. Jesus Aquino was appointed as the first Dean of the College.
It was in June of 1987 that the Arturo Eustaquio Memorial Science High School (AEMHS) was established. Its basic objective is to offer an academic program with emphasis on science and mathematics for High School students.

To cope up with the needs of times, BS in Computer Engineering (BSCoE) and BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE) were offered in 1991. In the same year on April 24, the ZAEC Community Medical Center was established as an answer to the growing needs of the people for medical services. The Center also serves as training hospital for UZ’s School of Allied Medicine students.

In 1992, BS Respiratory was offered followed by BS Pharmacy in 1994 and BS Radiologic Technology together with Associate in Health Science Education, which was implemented in 1998. In the same year 1998, Allied Medical Sciences was named The School of Allied Medicine. It became independent on its operation and is under the care of ZAEC Community Medical Center (ZAECCMC). In the year 2003 the College of Nursing was opened.

June 14, 1993 marks the foundation day of UZ Technical High School. It was established to replace the academic high school. It is housed at the main campus in Barangay Tetuan. ZAEC Technical High School specializes in harnessing students’ technical skill.

The College of Secretarial Administration” (CSA) was opened in 1994. Then it was changed to “College of Office Administration Communication Technology” (COACT) for three years and renamed in 1998 as the “Institute of Education Program” (ICEP) and today elevated as the College of Information Technology and Technical Education.

On October 2, 1999 the Summit Center, a sports center with a seating capacity of 10,000, was opened. On the same year, the UZ management started the construction of the Cabatangan Campus to accommodate more enrollees and expand the services of the School of Criminal Justice. Today, Cabatangan Campus is the practicum site of School of Criminal Justice.

As ZAEC seeks to provide and reach out to more students, it opened a branch in Ipil in the SY 2002-2003. From a population of about two hundred in the first year, today the campus is home to about seven hundred students.

Zamboanga A.E. Colleges was given ISO accreditation last December 2, 2002. It was the first ISO 9000:2001 Certified Higher Education Institution in Western Mindanao and it was recently elevated to ISO 9001:2008 Certification.

April 11, 2005 marks the glorious event of this institution as the CHED Manila granted the most expected university status. The university was given a new name—UNIVERSIDAD DE ZAMBOANGA.

Today, Universidad de Zamboanga boasts of seven (7) campuses, ISO 9001:2008 certification, PACUCOA accreditation, and a Medical Center which serves not just as a hospital, but an academic backbone for research in the field of medical sciences. It also expanded its operation by opening a branch in Pagadian City.

UZ gears up for greater heights and continues to strive for excellence as it lives up to its motto: "Education es Libertad!"

With the passing away of Dr. Arturo Eustaquio III who served as CEO and President for 37 years, Atty. Linda Eustaquio-Lim took over the position as the CEO and President of Universidad de Zamboanga.