CHED’s approval made the city’s oldest Catholic-run school the first university in Caraga Region, which comprises the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.
Young however said he had yet to receive an official communication from CHED. "But we are sure because two CHED commissioners have called me up and informed me that Urios’ application for a university was already approved,” he added.
The 105-year-old school started as the Butuan Parochial School in 1901. It was founded by Fr. Saturnino Urios, a Jesuit.
In 1939, the school was renamed Fr. Urios College with the opening of high school classes. Eleven years later, the school's college department started with a two-year business course.
For 37 years Fr. Urios College was run by Dutch priests belonging to the Missionari del Sacro Cuore (MSC).
In 1970, the name of the school was changed to Urios College.
It became a non-stock, non-profit corporation and the top management was given to lay people in 1976.
Young said the school had waited for 10 years before its application was approved.
He said that last February, five CHED commissioners reevaluated their application.
He noted that the team focused their evaluation on quality of instruction, research outputs, faculty development, school infrastructure, laboratories, results of board examinations, financial management and students’ success. (Alden C. Pantaleon Jr./MindaNews)