Adamson University was included in the top 201+ universities in Asia in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University 2011 Rankings.[4] This placed Adamson University as top nine in the rankings nationwide and top five in the Metro Manila area.[5] In the 2021 edition of the QS University Rankings: Asia released on November 23, 2020, only 14 Philippine universities, including Adamson University, made it to the top-ranked list.[6][7] Adamson has held a tight grip on the top rank when the university received a 651+ mark from QS in its 2022 edition.[8]
Dr. George Lucas Adamson, an Athens-born Greek chemist, founded the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry (ASIC) on June 20, 1932, to train young men and women in the practical application of industrial chemistry. On February 19, 1936, a one-classroom school evolved into the Adamson School of Industrial Chemistry and Engineering (ASICE). Upon approval of its application for university status by the Secretary of Public Instruction on February 5, 1941, it became known as Adamson University (AdU).
Soon after, Lucas's cousin Alexander Athos Adamson arrived at ASIC to assist the budding school. Alexander joined the administration on July 15, 1932, serving as vice president, treasurer, and registrar. George Athos Adamson, Alexander's brother, joined the team in 1934 as the School Dean, Dean of the College of Engineering, and professor. In 1939, the wife of George Lucas, Evdoxia Savaides Adamson, began working and teaching at the university. She later served as Dean of the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. After arriving in 1939, Sofia Adamson, wife of George Athos, taught in the College of Education and briefly served as the Junior Normal College's Director. On February 5, 1941, the school was granted university status by the Department of Education. On December 4, 1964, the university was turned over to the Vincentian Fathers of the Congregation of the Mission and was incorporated into the Adamson-Ozanam Education Institutions, Inc. Its patron saint is Saint Vincent de Paul. Then, all the Adamsons worked at the university except George Athos and Sofia, who left after the war. George Lucas Adamson was president of Adamson University for 35 years, including a three-year holdover period during the Vincentians' administration. Adamson University became a probationary member of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines in 1952. It became a regular member in 1971.[10]
Fr. Leandro I. Montañana, C.M., a Spanish Vincentian, was the second President and the first C.M. president. He held this position until 1985 when he was succeeded by Fr. Rolando S. Dela Goza, C.M., the first Filipino university president, who served until 1994. Fr. Jimmy Belita, C.M., who served as president until 2003, was followed by the fifth president, Fr. Gregorio L. Bañaga, Jr., C.M.
Despite being most renowned for its chemical and engineering departments, Adamson progressively added courses in architecture, sciences, pharmacy, business, education, liberal arts, law, graduate school, basic education, and theology as it expanded. The transfer of ownership in 1964 transformed the university from a secular to a Catholic university by incorporating it under the Adamson-Ozanam Educational Institutions, Inc. St. Vincent de Paul, the founder of the Congregation of the Mission, was named the patron saint of the university, and the motto Veritas in Caritate (Truth in Charity) was adopted. A new vision was articulated, essentially that of providing affordable quality education, particularly for the socially disadvantaged — a vision not substantially different from that of the Founder, who desired to assist Filipinos in gaining a living by providing the most practical education in the shortest amount of time. The university responded to the problems and demands of the period by offering courses in information technology and systems, nursing, customs administration, hospitality management, and physical education.
Fr. Bañaga led Adamson University to several accomplishments in the twenty-first century. During its Diamond Jubilee celebration in 2007, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines designated the university as a historic site. A memorial was installed in front of the St. Vincent Building, the oldest building on campus, commemorating this heritage.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) after passing rigorous examinations and visits, the university was given Autonomous status and certification for Institutional Monitoring and Evaluation for Quality Assurance (IQuAME) in 2010 by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The Autonomous status signifies that Adamson University will have greater autonomy or independence in its administration, decision-making, and implementation; have the privilege to offer new programs and distance courses, among other things; and have the authority to grant an Honoris Causa to deserving individuals in accordance with CHED's regulations for awarding honorary degrees. Meanwhile, the IQuAME certification signifies that the university has satisfied and cooperated with the norms and standards established by CHED to determine the value of its education and services. Additionally, CHED has designated numerous degree programs as Centers of Excellence and/or Centers of Development.
On November 16, 2012, the Adamson University Museum-Wing Founders was inaugurated to commemorate the institution's 80th anniversary. The Founder's Wing contains memorabilia and personal items Dr. Adamson's family contributed. Mrs. Evdoxia Adamson, his widow, has meticulously kept the objects in the Founder's Wing, which were shipped from Spain, where the Adamson family currently resides.
Adamson University sought and received the coveted ISO 9001:2008 Management Systems certification from TÜV Rheinland in January 2013, bolstering its efforts to attain excellence. The ISO 9001:2008 certification indicates that the university's processes and standards are of international management system quality. The university has implemented quality assurance methodologies and maintenance procedures for academic and support services. By formalizing and maintaining its quality assurance systems, the university can assure its students, parents, and other customers that teaching quality will stay high and transactions will be conducted effectively.
Marcelo V. Manimtim, C.M., the sixth president
In 2015, Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim, C.M., became the sixth and current president of the university after Fr. Bañaga's administration.
The school was located in three different campuses {Santa Cruz (1932–1933), San Miguel (1933–1939), and Intramuros (1939-1941)} before finally settling on its present campus along San Marcelino Street in 1946. The university expanded its campus in San Marcelino by acquiring the Meralco building in 1968 and the St. Theresa's College-Manila site just across the street in 1977.
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