Southeast Asian Medical Information Center (International Medical Foundation of Japan)

Established in 1901 by Presbyterian missionaries as Silliman Institute, Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines, holds the distinction of being the first Protestant institution of higher education in the country and in Asia. Initially a school for boys, it was named after its benefactor, Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, who provided the foundational funds. The university evolved over the decades, expanding from an elementary school to a college in 1910 and achieving university status in 1938.

During its early years, the institution was largely operated by Americans. Following World War II, there was a significant shift towards Filipino leadership, culminating in the appointment of the first Filipino president in 1952. The university has since grown substantially, enrolling over 10,000 students from various countries and operating ten colleges, five schools, and three institutes. It is recognized as a National Historical Landmark and holds autonomous status from the Commission on Higher Education.

Silliman University began on August 28, 1901, as Silliman Institute, established by Presbyterian missionaries. It started as an elementary school for boys, supported by an initial $10,000 donation from philanthropist Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, who envisioned an industrial school modeled after the Hampton Institute. Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard was tasked with establishing the school and, after scouting various locations, chose Dumaguete due to its appeal and the welcoming nature of its residents. The initial classes were held in a rented house, with Dr. and Mrs. Hibbard forming the entire faculty for a small group of fifteen boys. The institute rapidly expanded, admitting women in 1912 and establishing a Bible School in 1921. By 1925, it was recognized as a leading Protestant educational institution in the Philippines, receiving government recognition to grant degrees in 1910 and achieving university status in 1938.

The operations of Silliman University were significantly disrupted by World War II. The campus was occupied by Japanese forces in 1942 and used as a garrison, with one building serving as the headquarters for the military police. Many faculty and students evacuated, and under the leadership of President Arthur Carson, university operations continued in the mountains, leading to the establishment of a "Jungle University." Members of the university community also actively participated in the resistance movement. Following liberation in April 1945, efforts began to rebuild and resume academic activities. The post-war period marked a transition from American administration to Filipino leadership, with the election of the first Filipino president, Dr. Leopoldo T. Ruiz, in 1952. International support continued through organizations like the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.

In the decades following World War II, Silliman University experienced significant growth and expansion. The "Build a Greater Silliman" program, initiated in the early 1960s, addressed the increasing student population by leading to the construction of new academic buildings, dormitories, and facilities, including the Luce Auditorium and the Science Complex. The university also saw a diversification of its faculty, with professors from various international backgrounds joining the staff, particularly in the Divinity School. Despite the closure of the university during the Martial Law era in 1972, Silliman continued its development, solidifying its position as a prominent educational institution. It is recognized for its autonomous status and its role as a founding member of the Association of Christian Universities and Colleges in Asia.

“There were fifteen boys that first morning. The equipment consisted of four desks about ten feet long, two tables and two chairs, a few McGuffey’s Readers, a few geographies, arithmetics and ninth-grade grammars. I was President; Mrs. Hibbard was the faculty.”