Southwestern University

The Southwestern University (SWU) is a private university located in Cebu City, Philippines founded on 1946 by two pharmacists. It started as Southwestern Colleges in the summer of 1946 and became a university on December 11, 1959.

It consists of three campuses located in different areas of metropolitan Cebu – the main campus along Villa Aznar, J. Urgello St., while the Aznar Coliseum Complex is located about 50-meters away from the main campus, and the South Campus (formerly known as Basak campus) along E. Sabellano St., Basak Pardo, Cebu City.

In summer of 1946, when the Philippines was in the rehabilitation process after the World War II, Southwestern University was founded with the name Southwestern Colleges. The founders were pharmacists Matias Hipolito Chavez Aznar II and his wife Anunciacion Barcenilla Aznar.

Southwestern Colleges started with eighteen faculty members, five hundred nine students, three two – storey buildings on an approximately two – hectare lot, and with the following courses: Elementary, High School (day and night classes), first two years of Arts and Sciences (Associate Programs), Education and Commerce, and first year Law. In the school year 1946 – 47, the Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and the Graduate School were opened. The College of Nursing was added in the school year 1948 – 1949.

The school became a university on December 11, 1959 with its formal inauguration on February 13, 1960. The school year 1959 – 1960 also started with two new courses: Engineering and Optometry. The College of Medical Technology was opened in 1962. Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine came after a few years. The latest colleges added were Computer Studies, Physical Therapy, Maritime and Criminology. As of 2009, the university has twenty colleges and departments.

Southwestern University has continuously expanded its curricular offerings, but also in its physical plant. The university now occupies more than eighteen hectares. The Aznar Coliseum with a seating capacity of approximately seven to eight thousand, is the venue for sports and cultural activities.

Southwestern University is located in the south of the City of Cebu, Philippines. The university has three campuses. The main campus is located on Urgello St., the Aznar Coliseum Complex is on Aznar Road and the Basak Campus on Sabellano St., Basak, Cebu City.

Main Campus

The main campus is the home of the colleges of: Arts and Sciences, School of Business, Computer Studies, Criminology, Dentistry, Engineering, Graduate School, Law, Maritime, Medical Technology, Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy and Teachers College.

The Sacred Heart Hospital, Pathology and Biology Museums, Library, Interfaith Chapel, Botanical Garden and the Administrative Offices are also found in the main campus.

Aznar Coliseum Complex

Located about 50 meters away from the main campus, this complex is made up of Aznar Memorial Coliseum, a ballpark and the Anunciacion B. Aznar building which building houses the Elementary and High School Departments and College of Nursing.

South Campus

The third campus is the South Campus (formerly the Basak Campus), which houses the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Likewise, the Elementary and High School Training Departments are located.

Building Directory

• MD – Medicine/ M.H. Aznar Memorial Building
• AS – Arts and Sciences Building
• CS – Computer Studies Building
• AB – Andres Bonifacio Building/College of Dentistry
• MG – Mercado and Guerrero Buildings
• ABA – Anunciacion B. Aznar Building
• AZCO – Aznar Coliseum
• MT/PT/OPTO Building (Medical Technology, Physical Therapy and Optometry)
• E – Engineering Building
• M – Merlo Building
• BSK – Basak Complex

Academic Programs

Professional Programs

• College of Law
• College of Medicine
• Graduate School Doctorate Degree Programs
• Graduate School Masters Degree Programs

Allied Medical

• College of Dentistry
• College of Medical Technology
• College of Nursing
• College of Optometry
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Physical Therapy
• College of Veterinary Medicine

Non-allied Medical

• College of Arts & Sciences
• College of Computer Studies
• College of Criminology
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• Maritime College
• School of Business

Basic Education

• Elementary
• High School

Continuing Education

• English Language Program