📍 Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines · Est. 1908
The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) is a public research university located in Ermita, Manila, Philippines. Established in 1905 as the Philippine Medical School, it is the health sciences center of the University of the Philippines System. UPM operates across a compact urban campus, focusing its academic and research endeavors primarily on health-related disciplines. Key programs and departments at UPM span a comprehensive range of health sciences. The College of Medicine, founded in 1907, offers the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, which integrates a strong foundation in basic medical sciences with clinical training. This college also houses departments such as Anatomy, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Pathology, Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Psychiatry. Research within the College of Medicine is often translational, aiming to address prevalent health issues in the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region. The College of Public Health, established in 1927, provides graduate programs including Master of Public Health (MPH) with specializations in areas like Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Policy and Administration, Environmental Health, and Nutrition. It also offers a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program. Its research agenda frequently involves population health studies, disease surveillance, and public health interventions. The College of Pharmacy, tracing its roots to 1914, offers Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BS Pharmacy) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) programs. Specializations within pharmacy education include clinical pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, and pharmaceutical chemistry. Research in this college often focuses on drug discovery, pharmaceutical formulation, and pharmacovigilance. The College of Nursing, established in 1907, provides Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN), and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD in Nursing) degrees. Nursing education at UPM emphasizes evidence-based practice, community health nursing, and specialized clinical care. Research areas include patient care outcomes, nursing education methodologies, and health promotion. The College of Dentistry, established in 1915, offers a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program. Clinical training is a significant component, with students gaining experience in general dentistry, oral surgery, prosthodontics, orthodontics, and periodontics. Research in dentistry often involves oral health epidemiology, dental materials science, and preventive dentistry. The College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), established in 1962, offers programs in diverse allied health fields. These include Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy (BSPT), Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSOT), Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology (BSSP), and Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (BSMT). CAMP also offers graduate programs such as Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MSPT) and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT). Research in CAMP often focuses on rehabilitation science, diagnostic techniques, and assistive technology. The School of Health Sciences (SHS), established in 1976 and located in Palo, Leyte, with extensions in Koronadal, South Cotabato, and Baler, Aurora, offers a ladderized curriculum designed to train healthcare professionals for underserved rural communities. Programs include community health work, midwifery, and nursing, allowing students to progress through different levels of healthcare education. This model aims to address health workforce shortages in remote areas. The National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions (NTTCHP), established in 1975, offers graduate programs aimed at enhancing the pedagogical skills of health professions educators. These include Master in Health Professions Education (MHPEd) and Doctor of Health Professions Education (DHPEd). The center conducts research on health professions education methodologies, curriculum development, and assessment. The Philippine General Hospital (PGH), established in 1907, serves as the primary teaching hospital for UPM's health science students. It is a tertiary referral hospital with 1,500 beds, providing a wide range of medical and surgical services to a diverse patient population. PGH is also a major research hub, with clinical trials and observational studies frequently conducted across its various departments. The hospital supports residency and fellowship training programs in numerous medical and surgical specialties. Accreditation for UPM's programs is typically sought from relevant professional regulatory bodies in the Philippines, such as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for licensure examinations, and from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) for institutional and program-specific quality assurance. The University of the Philippines System, to which UPM belongs, holds institutional accreditation from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Notable academic strengths of UPM include its strong emphasis on community health and public service, particularly through its outreach programs and the design of its curricula to address national health priorities. Its research output frequently contributes to local and regional health policy formulation and clinical practice guidelines. The university maintains collaborations with various national and international health organizations, facilitating joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives. The integration of the Philippine General Hospital as its teaching arm provides students with extensive clinical exposure and training opportunities within a large public healthcare setting. This integration also fosters a direct link between academic research and patient care. UPM's commitment to social accountability is evident in its efforts to train healthcare professionals who are prepared to serve diverse populations, including those in underserved areas.
