The University of the Philippines (or Unibersidad ng Pilipinas in Filipino and commonly abbreviated as U.P.) is the only national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through an act of Philippine Legislature, the University provides tertiary-level education in almost every field, from agriculture, medicine, and law,to the natural and social sciences, engineering, creative writing, andfine arts.

    The University is a highly reputable school for tertiary, graduate, and postgraduate studies. U.P. is partly subsidized by the Philippine government, making its fees the lowest among comparable universities inthe country. This makes admission into the University very competitive. In 2006, a record 70,000 students flocked to UP campusesand test centers nationwide to take the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) for undergraduate admission.

    The University is noted for its highly politicized student leaders who promote various causes as well as positions on pressing national issues. U.P. has educated some of the country's most popular political and social leaders, economists, lawyers, medical doctors, creative artists and entrepreneurs as both students and faculty. Several Philippine Presidents have also attended courses in the University either as undergraduates or as postgraduate students. 28 out of the 29 National Scientists of the Philippines are also affiliated with the University. U.P. also has the most number National Centers of Excellence and Development among all higher education institutions inthe country and one of only three schools in Asia that have received institutional recognition in the Ramon Magsaysay Awards.

    The foremost symbol of U.P. is the Oblation. This is a figure of a naked man, with arms outstretched and face pointed upwards. The Oblation is based on the second stanza of Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios, which is replete with references of selfless dedication and service to the nation.

    U.P. students and graduates are popularly referred to as "Iskolar ng Bayan" ("Scholars of the Nation").

    Inline with the celebration of the University's centenary, the year 2008 has been proclaimed as the "UP Centennial Year" and the years 1998-2008 as the "University of the Philippines Decade." (from www.wikipedia.com)