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Silliman: Quality Dumaguete Education | Dumaguete Info

Dumaguete is not just a by-word in scenic spots and dive sites, but many people, especially the young, throng to the city for a quality Dumaguete education. Many from all over the country and even Asia covet a degree from the state institution Silliman University.

When Dumaguete education is talked of, we often refer to Silliman. It was a brainchild of Dr. Horace Silliman in 1901 after the short war between the country and America. Presbyterian missionary educators sailed to Negros and sought to start American education in the province as a piecemeal strategy to educate the whole archipelago in the same. Thus started the quality of Dumaguete education. Silliman is the first protestant university in the country and in Asia.

Dumaguete celebrates the annual Silliman Foundation Day. It’s not just a university event, it’s a city-wide festivity prepared by the school and the city people. It begins with street parades that around the adjacent districts ending in the institution itself. Students and faculty staff both present and past, their families, and other visiting guests from the locality and outside, are part of the celebration.

Silliman has been making up much of what can be termed Dumaguete education, beginning with elementary school education to college and post graduate studies. Beginning with just a handful of equipments and some 15 students, it grew through the years and eventually awarded government recognition as a university in 1938. Latest record reflects a 6,000 strong student population and 500 faculty members.

Erudition is made worthwhile and more effective by the more than 600,000 square-meter university campus of prime city land with a scattering of huge spreading trees for shed-protected grounds. Learning is enhanced by extra curricular efforts where skills and talents are honed and displayed in its modern and spacious auditorium. Adding to Dumaguete education quality are the museum and library of the school, plus its Olympic-size swimming pool and other big arena, courts, and a gym for other sports activities. It even has fields for archery and football.

Aside from regular college courses offered like Psychology, Business Management, Law, Engineering, and others, Silliman also has an exemplary IT course offered. It is also popular for its course in scientific agricultural studies. Silliman also produces top board takers in Accounting, Nursing, and Physical Therapy, among others. All these contribute to Dumaguete education quality that the country and Asia have come to know.

Dumaguete is more than just a tourist hang-out. Many serious intellectuals seek Dumaguete education.