| Universidad de Sta. Isabel | |
| Mottoeng: | Where Love is Service |
| Type: | Private Catholic research non-profit coeducational basic and higher education institution |
| Established: | April 12, 1868 |
| Founder: | Rt. Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., Bishop of Caceres |
| Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic (Daughters of Charity) |
| Academic Affiliations: | ACUP, ASEACCU, CEAP, PAASCU |
| President: | Sr. Lourdes L. Albis |
| Principal: | Simonet A. Barrosa (basic education) |
| Head Label: | Vice-principal |
| Head: | Luisa P. Vale (academics) |
| Address: | Elias Angeles St., Bagumbayan Sur |
| City: | Naga City |
| Province: | Camarines Sur |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Coor: | 13.629°N 123.1886°W |
| Pushpin Map: | Luzon#Philippines |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Luzon##Location in the Philippines |
| Campus: | Urban
|
| Free Label: | Alma Mater Song |
| Free: | "The University Hymn" |
| Free Label2: | Patron saint |
| Free2: | St. Elizabeth of Hungary |
| Colors: | Yellow Green |
| Athletics Affiliations: | BUCAL |
| Mascot: | Seagulls |
The Universidad de Sta. Isabel, also simply referred to as USI or Sta. Isabel, is a private Catholic university run by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul in Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines. It was founded by the Rt Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., Bishop of Caceres, in 1868 as the first normal school for women in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, named in honor of the university's patron, St. Isabel, Queen of Hungary.[1] [2]
Colegio de Sta. Isabel was founded by the Rt Rev. Francisco Gainza, O.P., Bishop of Caceres. The administration of the school was given to six Daughters of Charity sisters who arrived in the Bicol Region (Philippines) on April 4, 1868. The school was solemnly blessed and opened on September 18, 1870.
A Royal Decree of Queen Isabella II of Spain dated January 11, 1872, granted to the Lord Don Fray Francisco Gainza, Bishop of Nueva Caceres, the authority to create a school for girls (escuela de niñas) which will be under the care of the Hijas de Caridad (Daughters of Charity). Consequently, Colegio de Sta. Isabel became the first normal school for girls in the Philippines and Southeast Asia under the name Escuela Normal de Maestras.[3]
The school was opened on April 12, 1868. Colegio de Sta. Isabel achieved its university status in August 2001,[4] [5] and was renamed Universidad de Sta. Isabel.
The main campus of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel is located at Elias Angeles St., Bagumbayan Sur, Naga City. An annex campus is located at Panganiban Drive, Naga City and a satellite campus in Pili, Camarines Sur.
In recognition of the important role the academe played in Philippine history, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has declared the Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI) as a National Historical Landmark by virtue of Republic Act No. 10086.[6] [7] In view of this declaration, Universidad de Sta. Isabel is now also known as the Heritage and Historical University of Bicol
At the unveiling ceremony of the historical marker, NCHP Chairman Dr. Rene R. Esclante said that USI is important in the history of the Philippines as this is the oldest school in the country and the first normal school for women built during the Spanish era, where traces of the old structures and even the courses offered still exists as to this time.[8] [9]