ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵapp

UP ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵapp (UPD) is the biggest constituent of the University of the Philippines System (UPS) in terms of student population. Like students in the seven constituent universities comprising the UPS, UPD students are referred to as Iskolar ng Bayan or scholars of the people. This title reflects the university’s origins as an institution conceived for Filipinos and funded by the Filipino nation.

As scholars of the people, students are not only expected to perform well in their studies but also cultivate a myriad of interests that will enhance their knowledge, broaden their horizons, and better prepare them for eventual service to the country. From learning a local or foreign language, engaging in research, joining workshops, to playing sports, UPD ensures that students will have the opportunity to enrich their knowledge and skills in and out of the four walls of the classroom.

Based on the 2012 Code of Student Conduct of UPD, a student is any individual admitted to and registered in a degree or non-degree program, or cross-registered in any course of the UPD on a regular or part-time basis, including one who is officially on leave of absence; and who has not yet been separated from the University formally through either transfer, graduation, honorable or dishonorable dismissal, expulsion or expiration of the period allowed for maximum residence.

Student Life

On average, UPD has 24,000 students enrolled in a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs offered by its 27 degree-granting units. UPD students must be equipped with necessary information to manage life in the University’s 493-hectare campus.

New students will receive an admission guide containing pertinent information on UPD’s enrollment procedures and support services, provided by the Office of the University Registrar. Orientation programs are also conducted for freshies, transferees, and graduate students to make them aware of life on campus.

To ensure students get a strong start and feel connected to the university community, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) conducts a variety of activities in collaboration with the colleges, the University Student Council, and College Councils. These include the Freshie Orientation Program, organization fairs, and the University Welcome Assembly, all of which introduce students to campus life and the offices that provide student services.

In line with its commitment to student welfare, the OVCSA facilitates several initiatives aimed at addressing the diverse and emerging needs of UP ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵapp students. Among these is the Eatskolar Project, a community-supported program that provides subsidized meals to financially vulnerable students through the purchase of meal coupons, fostering the spirit of bayanihan on campus. Another project is Start ‘Em Young, a gender sensitivity and NSTP orientation for freshies that introduces basic concepts of sex and gender, raises awareness of the UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code, and orients students on the NSTP components offered by the university. The UPD Coaching Hub, conducted in partnership with Benchmark Consulting, is another initiative that offers free one-on-one professional life and career coaching for selected students to help them navigate personal challenges and pursue goals related to career, finance, or well-being. In celebration of Mental Health Month, the OVCSA also leads a series of advocacy and wellness activities that provide safe spaces, stress-relief opportunities, and mental health awareness programs to support the psychosocial well-being of the UP community.

Throughout their stay in UP ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵapp, students are guided and supported by the OVCSA through its dedicated offices, which address concerns relevant to student life. These units include the Office of Counseling and Guidance (OCG), the Office of Student Housing (OSH), the Office of Scholarships and Grants (OSG), the Office of Student Projects and Activities (OSPA), the ÇÑ×ÓÊÓƵapp Learning Resource Center (DLRC), the University Food Service (UFS), and the Office for Student Ethics (OSE). These cover access to scholarships, dormitories, counseling and mentoring, food and health services, part-time work opportunities, student organizations, and various campus activities and programs that contribute to students’ overall development.