All of the country's top universities would boast of offering quality education. Silliman is no different. But while it joins the ranks of prestigious Philippine universities, it is humbled by a gift of a location that bespeaks of the natural environment's complement to academic learning -- one feature that sets Silliman apart from the rest.
Dotted with over 300 acacia trees, the Silliman campus is uniquely embraced in between views of the Cuernos de Negros mountains in its background and the Visayan sea at its frontage. The 62-hectare campus offers patches of greens on where personal relationships are nurtured, spiritual nourishment facilitated, and the concept of quality student life redefined.
Silliman University is a melting pot of cultures and religions. Of its overall population of more than 9,000, over 400 are international students from 44 countries. Its affiliation with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines as a Protestant university has never been a hindrance to the exercise of religious freedom. Majority of Silliman students are Roman Catholics and a good number are Muslims.
The university is located in the charming city of Dumaguete, dubbed the 'City of Gentle People,' an hour away by plane from Manila and four hours away by boat from Cebu. Silliman thrives in a city where the strip of restaurants offering good food along the boulevard and where everything a student needs are just a stone's throw away. While offering the coveted 'retirement getaway' environment, the city is not left behind by progress. You can find infrastructure developments and businesses sprouting in support of the city's "University Town" concept.
Campus life revolves around the motto Via, Veritas, Vita (of Christ being the Way, the Truth, the Life). It is Silliman's mission to develop the whole person within the Christian context and in a sound environment. Students are expected to put their education to work in service to others -- another mark that distinguishes Silliman from other institutions of higher learning.
It is also the conducive residential campus life that sets Silliman University apart from the other leading universities in the Philippines. The 12 regular and cooperative dormitories provide a "home away from home" for Silliman students who come from outside Dumaguete. In the dormitories, students belong to a family, a part of the bigger Silliman community. Corollary to this sense of community is the "Silliman Spirit" - an atmosphere of personal closeness, warmth, friendship and concern.
Silliman Education's 5Cs
Silliman's goal of building competence, character and faith anchored on the Gospel of Christ aims for the development of the whole person. It believes that success and fulfillment are achieved when one views himself or herself in relation to the larger community. Silliman therefore envisions genuine quality Christian education as a result of an interaction of experiences from at least five venues: the classroom, the Church, the cultural center, the (athletic) court, and the community.
The Classroom
The classroom is a major component of the "second home" of students. Teaching at Silliman is made to challenge students to question prevailing concepts and theories, and find meaning in them in their day to day activities. Important to Silliman University is a mentoring system that walks students through the learning process of life.
The Church
Christian faith is foundational to Silliman education. Various activities for faith nurture, education, worship, fellowship, and service are in store for Silliman students all year round. These are activities that are receptive to the changing needs and preferences of students. Church activities are designed and organized in a way that does not discriminate students from other religious denominations.
The Cultural Center
Every semester, the Cultural Affairs Committee stages five shows that put value on the appreciation for the arts at what most consider as the "cultural center of the south": the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. Silliman students get a taste of the works of nationally- and internationally-acclaimed literary, visual and performing artists throughout the school year. Season tickets at subsidized rates are made available to students.
The (Athletic) Court
Sports play an equally important part in the life of a Silliman student. The campus boasts of facilities for ball games, swimming, contact sports, and archery. In the field of archery, Mark Javier, the lone Filipino male archer in the Beijing Olympics, is a fresh addition to the list of Sillimanian Olympians: archers Jennifer Chan and Lisa Ygnalaga and long jumper Simeon Toribio.
The Community
Service-learning and volunteerism are vital components of all academic disciplines in the university. Students are challenged to test theories and principles through actual community work. With identified partner communities, Silliman students develop projects and programs, integrating expertise in business development, health care, legal management, and environmental advocacy. Sustaining this thrust on an international level, Silliman is active in an international service-learning program that aims for cultural understanding and a multi-sectoral approach to addressing social concerns.
Vision
A leading Christian institution committed to total human development for the well-being of society and environment.
Mission
Goals
Silliman aims to have...
