Urdaneta City University
{{Short description|Public university in Pangasinan, Philippines}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Urdaneta City University
| native_name = {{native name|fil|Pamantasang Lungsod ng Urdaneta}}
| image =
| image_size = 150px
| former_name = City Colleges of Urdaneta
| type = Public, Nonsectarian, higher education institution
| established = {{start date and age|February 4, 1966}}
| academic_affiliations = ALCU
| chairman = Julio F. Parayno III
| president = Atty. Dar A. Diga
| vice-president = Josephine S.Lambinicio{{small|EdD}}
(VP for Academic Affairs)
Raquel D. Pascua, PhD
(VP for Administrative Affairs)
| students = 12,500 (2015)
| city = Urdaneta City
| province = Pangasinan
| country = {{flagicon|Philippines}} Philippines
| coordinates = {{Coord|15|58|50.1492|N|120|33|38.4912|E|display=inline,title|format=dms|dim:30_region:PH_type:edu_source:GNS-enwiki}}
| pushpin_map = Luzon mainland#Philippines
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines
| free_label = Hymn
| free = UCU Hymn
| colors = {{color box|white}}{{color box|#009688}}{{color box|#F7B519}} White, Green and Gold
| nickname =
| website = {{URL|http://ucu.edu.ph/}}
}}
Urdaneta City University (UCU) is a public university located in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines. It was founded in 1966 by Dr. Pedro T. Orata as the Urdaneta Community College (UCC). The school is considered to be one of the first community colleges in the Philippines.
History
UCC was founded in 1966 by Dr. Pedro T. Orata with the support of Mayor Amadeo R. Perez Jr. and the Sangguniang Bayan using the proceeds of the 1966 town fiesta celebration. The college started with a provisional permit to open a two-year General Education course granted by the Secretary of Education and a program for Non-formal Education. Short-term courses in agriculture and retail business for adults were also offered to assist students in enhancing their earning capabilities.
Over the years, the college grew and expanded its educational services by offering new courses, such as Midwifery (1973), Nursing (1975), Computer Education (1990), Graduate School (1995), Commerce and Accountancy (1996), and Caregiver Training Program (2002). Despite its limited resources, UCC proved to be one of the top-performing higher learning institutions in the fields of education, nursing, and midwifery.
In 1998, Urdaneta became a city, and UCC adopted a new name, City College of Urdaneta. In 2006, the institution was declared as Urdaneta City University and was confirmed as such by the Sangguniang Panglunsod of Urdaneta.{{cite web |title=The Journey of Urdaneta City University: From Community College to Pioneer Local University |url=https://www.ourpangasinan.com/history/the-journey-of-urdaneta-city-university-from-community-college-to-pioneer-local-university/ |website=Our Pangasinan |access-date=10 February 2023}}
Campus & Facilities
UCU has its own facilities and has grown steadily over the years. The university continues to attract students from neighboring provinces, such as Abra, Aurora, Isabela, Ilocos, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Quezon, Mt. Province, and Pampanga.
{{gallery
|File:UCU Front.jpg|UCU Facade
|File:UCU Gymnasium.jpg|University Gymnasium
|File:Orata Building.jpg|Orata Building 1
|File:New Building 2.jpg|Orata Building 2
|File:Garden UCU.jpg|Clean and Green (Likas Yaman 2007 Awardee)
}}