Far Eastern University
Corporate brand
UnclaimedPrivate, non-sectarian research university headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Far Eastern University, commonly known as FEU, is a private, non-sectarian research university headquartered in Sampaloc, Manila. Its institutional origins lie in two Filipino-founded educational ventures: Far Eastern College, a commerce and liberal arts school founded in 1919, and the Institute of Accountancy, established in 1928 and later known as the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance. The two institutions merged in November 1933, and FEU received university status in 1934 under its first president, Dr. Nicanor B. Reyes, Sr. FEU developed from a commercially oriented school serving working and night students into a broad university offering education from elementary and secondary schooling through undergraduate, professional, and graduate study. Its early identity was strongly associated with accountancy, business, and commerce. The institution is recognized as having established the first accountancy school for Filipinos, and its business and accountancy programs remain central to its academic profile. Over time, it added arts and sciences, law, education, technology, architecture, fine arts, medicine, nursing, tourism and hotel management, computer studies, and other professional fields. The university's pre-war expansion was rapid. Enrollment rose from an initial 117 students to approximately 11,000 before the Pacific War. Its Manila campus was developed with major buildings designed by Pablo S. Antonio, Sr., including the Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall. FEU also developed a notable Reserve Officers' Training Corps program, including quartermaster, finance, and coastal artillery units. During World War II, the university closed, and its facilities were used by Japanese military authorities, including as a prisoner-of-war facility. The campus sustained wartime damage, and Nicanor B. Reyes, Sr. was killed during the Battle of Manila. FEU reopened in October 1945, although parts of its facilities remained occupied by American forces until 1946. Post-war growth made FEU one of the Philippines' largest universities by enrollment. The institution expanded its facilities and introduced new fields, including medicine, nursing, humanities, architecture, and fine arts. In 1970, its medical and related health operations were reorganized into the non-stock, non-profit Far Eastern University–Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation. FEU later modernized its facilities, strengthened accreditation, expanded scholarly publication and institutional partnerships, and pursued deregulation through the Commission on Higher Education. FEU has also evolved into an education-focused corporate group. Its activities include education, real estate, and investment operations, with campuses and affiliated institutions in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Pampanga, and other Philippine locations. Important affiliated entities include FEU East Asia College, FEU Alabang, FEU High School, Far Eastern College–Silang, and Roosevelt College, which FEU began acquiring in 2016. The university has also participated in partnerships for senior high school, nursing education in Brunei, and additional Philippine campuses. The Manila campus is a defining part of the FEU identity. Five Art Deco buildings designed by Pablo S. Antonio, Sr. received a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage in 2005. In 2018, the National Museum of the Philippines declared the campus's Art Deco buildings, chapel, and selected artworks National Cultural Treasures. The university's visual system uses green and gold, a Sarimanok-inspired coat of arms, and the tamaraw as its athletic mascot. FEU currently operates multiple schools and institutes and offers programs from basic education to graduate and professional study. Its academic portfolio has continued to change, including the creation of the Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing in 2022 and the reintroduction or launch of several programs in 2024.
History
Far Eastern University's history combines Filipino entrepreneurship in education, a strong early emphasis on commerce and accountancy, wartime disruption, post-war mass expansion, and later diversification into a multi-campus education group. The oldest institutional strand began with Far Eastern College, founded in 1919 as a commerce and liberal arts school in Quiapo. Its founders included Vicente F. Fabella, recognized as the first Filipino certified public accountant, together with Nicanor Maronilla-Seva, Francisco Africa, Pedro Cortez, and Salvador Unson. A second strand began in 1928, when Francisco T. Dalupan, Sr. and Nicanor B. Reyes, Sr., then associated with economics education at the University of the Philippines, established the Institute of Accountancy. The institute later became the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance and developed a particular role in making accountancy education available to Filipinos. The two schools merged in November 1933. The resulting institution became Far Eastern University in 1934, with Nicanor B. Reyes, Sr. as its first president. The first four institutes were Accounts, Business and Finance; Arts and Sciences; Law; and Education. The Institute of Technology followed in 1936. FEU's reliance on tuition-paying students, including many night students, demonstrated the viability of a private university model in the Philippines. Enrollment expanded from 117 students at the beginning to roughly 11,000 before World War II. The early campus occupied a four-hectare site in the Quiapo-Sampaloc area. Buildings were designed by Pablo S. Antonio, Sr., who later became a National Artist for Architecture. Road widening associated with what became Quezon Boulevard required the reconstruction and enlargement of the original main building. The Nicanor B. Reyes Sr. Hall opened in 1940, followed by buildings for the boys' and girls' high schools. The campus and its architecture became lasting components of the FEU brand. FEU also had a prominent pre-war military training tradition. In 1941 it established the Philippines' first ROTC quartermaster and finance units and maintained a coastal artillery unit. Many FEU cadets volunteered for military service after the Pacific War began, and FEU personnel participated in the defense of Bataan and received armor training. The university closed in 1942 after the Japanese occupation. Its facilities were used by the Imperial Japanese Army Transportation Corps and later by the Japanese Army's Prisoner of War Bureau. The main building suffered bullet damage, while several other structures survived. Nicanor B. Reyes, Sr. was killed during the Battle of Manila in 1945. Hermenegildo B. Reyes became the second president, and FEU reopened in June 1945 according to the university's historical account, with a broader post-liberation reopening in October. American forces continued using much of the campus until May 1946. The post-war decades brought extensive growth. FEU added the Science Building, the Institute of Medicine, the School of Nursing, and FEU Hospital, which opened in 1955. Humanities were introduced in 1959, while the Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts opened in 1970. That year, the medical, medical technology, hospital, and student health operations were reorganized as the Far Eastern University–Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit educational foundation. During the early 1950s, enrollment reportedly approached 50,000, leading to FEU being described as one of Asia's largest universities at that time. A major modernization phase began in 1989 under Nicanor M. Reyes, Jr. Facilities and grounds were renovated, educational standards were strengthened, and several institutes obtained accreditation. By the middle of the 1990s, the university had achieved deregulated status from the Commission on Higher Education. It also expanded cultural and scholarly activities through an upgraded auditorium, recurring performances, academic journals, and relationships with institutions in the Philippines and abroad. FEU subsequently adjusted its academic and corporate structure. In 1996, it decided to phase out the Institute of Technology and its engineering programs after reviewing the technology curriculum. The university instead developed computer-oriented education through East Asia College, founded in 1992, and acquired the remaining shares of the associated operation in 2003, establishing FEU East Asia College. In 2010, it created the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management and opened FEU Makati. Additional expansion reached Silang in Cavite, Filinvest City in Alabang, and Rizal through the acquisition of Roosevelt College. The university's corporate history runs alongside its academic development. Far Eastern University, Incorporated was organized in 1928 and registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission in 1933. Its corporate life was extended for another 50 years in 1983, and the company became listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange in 1986. The group operates in education, real estate, and investment activities, with affiliated educational entities including FEU High School, FEU Alabang, Far Eastern College–Silang, and East Asia Computer Center. In the 2010s and 2020s, FEU emphasized partnerships and geographic expansion. A 2019 joint venture with the Technological Institute of the Philippines created Edustria, a senior high school in Batangas. In 2022, FEU established the Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing and entered initiatives involving nursing education in Brunei and a partnership in Cabanatuan City. In 2023, it partnered with Unilab Education to form Higher Academia and launched a Pampanga campus. In 2024, it broadened its academic portfolio with the return of Chemistry and Economics and new programs in human resources, pharmacy, and nutrition and dietetics. FEU's Manila campus remains a major cultural asset. Five Art Deco buildings received a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award in 2005. In 2018, the National Museum of the Philippines designated the buildings, chapel, and selected artworks as National Cultural Treasures. The university's green-and-gold colors, Sarimanok-inspired coat of arms, baybayin-inspired symbolism, and tamaraw mascot express its Filipino institutional identity.
- 2024
Academic portfolio expands
[1]FEU reintroduces Chemistry and Economics and launches programs in human resources, pharmacy, and nutrition and dietetics.
- 2023
Higher Academia and Pampanga expansion
[1]FEU partners with Unilab Education to form Higher Academia and launches a Pampanga campus.
- 2022
Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing is created
[1]FEU consolidates and expands its nursing and allied-health academic portfolio.
- 2019
Edustria joint venture launches
[1]FEU and the Technological Institute of the Philippines establish a senior high school venture in Batangas.
- 2018
Manila campus receives National Cultural Treasure recognition
[1]The National Museum recognizes the campus buildings, chapel, and selected artworks.
- 2016
Roosevelt College acquisition begins
[1]FEU signs an agreement to acquire an initial 80 percent stake in Roosevelt College, Inc.
- 2010
Makati campus and tourism institute open
[1]FEU extends its campus network and adds tourism and hotel management education.
- 2005
UNESCO recognizes the Manila campus
[1]FEU receives an Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for preservation of its Art Deco buildings.
- 2003
FEU East Asia College is established
[1]FEU completes its buyout of East Asia College interests and establishes FEU East Asia College.
- 1996
Technology curriculum is restructured
[1]FEU phases out the Institute of Technology and engineering programs and shifts toward computer technology education.
Products and positioning
A Filipino-founded, private, non-sectarian university combining a historic strength in accountancy and business with broad professional, liberal arts, technology, health, and graduate education. Its brand is also closely associated with Manila Art Deco heritage, green-and-gold visual identity, cultural programming, and the tamaraw symbol.
Higher education · 1928
Accountancy, business, and finance programs
FEU's historic academic core includes accountancy, accounting technology, business administration, economics, and related finance disciplines. The institution traces its identity to the Institute of Accountancy and is recognized for establishing the first accountancy school for Filipinos. Its accountancy and other undergraduate programs have received high-level accreditation from the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation.
Higher education · 1934
Arts, sciences, and humanities
The Institute of Arts and Sciences provides the liberal arts and scientific foundation of the university. FEU has offered arts and sciences since its university formation and later introduced humanities as a distinct area. Chemistry and Economics were reintroduced in 2024 as part of the institution's continuing expansion of academic options.
Higher education · 1934
Teacher education
Teacher education is one of FEU's original university institutes and remains a major professional field. The Commission on Higher Education has recognized FEU as a Center of Excellence for Teacher Education, reflecting the program's established role within the university's academic portfolio.
Professional education · 1934
Law programs
Law was among the four institutes established when FEU became a university in 1934. It forms part of the institution's professional-education offering alongside business, education, architecture, health, and other specialized disciplines.
Higher education · 1996
Computer studies and information technology
After phasing out the Institute of Technology and its engineering programs in 1996, FEU shifted toward computer technology through East Asia College. The resulting FEU East Asia College and related campuses offer information technology, computer science, and associated programs.
Higher education · 2010
Tourism and hotel management
FEU established the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in 2010. The offering extends the university's professional portfolio into tourism, hospitality, and hotel-related education and is associated with the institution's campus expansion during the 2010s.
Health education · 1955
Medicine, nursing, and allied health
FEU's health portfolio includes medicine, nursing, medical technology, and allied-health education. The medical and related operations were reorganized in 1970 under the Far Eastern University–Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation. In 2022, FEU created the Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing and integrated nursing with medical technology within the new structure.
Basic education
Basic and secondary education
The FEU group operates educational programs extending from elementary and secondary schooling to senior high school. FEU High School and other affiliated institutions support the group's vertical education model, while the Edustria joint venture added a senior high school operation in Batangas.
Brand decisions
2024
Expansion of academic programsProduct launchBackground
FEU reviewed its academic portfolio to broaden offerings in science, economics, organizational development, and health-related fields.
Action taken
The university reintroduced Chemistry and Economics and launched Human Resource and Organizational Development, Pharmacy, and Nutrition and Dietetics.
Aftermath
The changes increased the range of disciplines available across FEU's academic system.
2023
Formation of Higher AcademiaM&ABackground
FEU continued to expand through collaboration with education and healthcare-related institutions.
Action taken
FEU partnered with Unilab Education to form Higher Academia, Inc., alongside the launch of a Pampanga campus.
Aftermath
The initiative extended FEU's geographical reach and institutional partnership network.
2022
Creation of the Institute of Health Sciences and NursingStrategyBackground
FEU sought to consolidate and expand its health-allied academic offerings.
Action taken
The university established the Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing and merged the existing nursing program with Medical Technology.
Aftermath
The new institute became the organizational home for a broader health-sciences portfolio.
2016
Acquisition of Roosevelt College stakeM&ABackground
FEU pursued expansion of its education network beyond its established Manila and Makati operations.
Action taken
The university entered a share purchase agreement to acquire an initial 80 percent of Roosevelt College, Inc.
Aftermath
Roosevelt College became part of FEU's broader group of affiliated educational institutions.
1996
Shift from engineering technology toward computer educationStrategyBackground
After reviewing its technology programs, FEU determined that the Institute of Technology and its engineering courses should be phased out while computer science and information technology were developed through East Asia College.
Action taken
FEU discontinued the Institute of Technology and engineering programs and pursued a computer-focused academic model.
Aftermath
The strategy led to the later establishment of FEU East Asia College and strengthened the university's presence in computer and information technology education.
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