# Southwestern University (Philippines)

The Southwestern University, officially the Southwestern University PHINMA (SWU PHINMA), is a private university in Cebu City, Philippines.
Founded and opened in the summer of 1946 by two pharmacists, SWU originally started as Southwestern Colleges and achieved university status on December 11, 1959. The university and its base hospital were acquired by PHINMA Education, a subsidiary of PHINMA Corporation in 2015. The university was renamed to Southwestern University PHINMA and the hospital from Sacred Heart Hospital to Southwestern University Medical Center. The university changed the logo and closed its South Campus in Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City.
It has a large number of international students from different countries. It is widely recognized as the most diverse institution in Cebu due to the various nationality of students that came from 34 countries in five continents.

## Presidents

* Matias H. Aznar II (1946–1958), founder
* Anunciacion B. Aznar (1958–1968), co-founder
* Gabino Tabuñar (1968–1973)
* Matias B. Aznar III (1973–1975, 1978–1980)
* Julian B. Yballe (1975–1978)
* Manolo S. Fornolles (1981–1990)
* Alicia P. Cabatingan (1990–2001)
* Frances Victoria F. Lumain (2001–2006)
* Lassi Matti A. Holopainen (2006–2007)
* Peter S. Aznar (March 2007–June 2007), acting president
* Eldigario D. Gonzales (2007–2010)
* Elsa A. Suralta, CESO VI (2010–2013)
* Noe G. Quiñanola (2013–2014)
* Chito B. Salazar (2014–present)

## Campuses

Southwestern University is in the south of the City of Cebu, Philippines. The university has two campuses. The main campus is located on Urgello St. and the Aznar Coliseum Complex is on Aznar Road, just some 200 meters away from the main campus.
The university once had a South Campus (Basak Campus) on E. Sabellano St., Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City. The South Campus has since closed and has been in operation by another school. The closed South Campus formerly housed the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and the Elementary and High School Training Departments. All programs were transferred to the Main and Aznar Coliseum Complex campuses.

### Main Campus

The main campus is the home of the colleges of School of Design + Communication, 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 Southwestern Medical Center (formerly Sacred Heart Hospital), Pathology and Biology Museums, Library, Interfaith Chapel, Botanical Garden, and the Administrative Offices are found in the main campus.

### Aznar Coliseum Complex

Located about 200 meters from the main campus, the complex is made up of Aznar Memorial Coliseum, a ballpark, and the Anunciacion B. Aznar building which houses the Pre-Elementary, Elementary Department and High School Departments, the Maritime Regiment, the 540th NROTC Unit, Department of Physical Education and the College of Nursing.

## Academic programs

Current programs since PHINMA acquisition (Graduate School inclusive):
* College of Dentistry
* College of Veterinary Medicine
* College of Rehabilitative Sciences
* College of Pre-Medicine
* College of IT & Engineering
* Business School
* School of Health & Allied Health Sciences
* School of Medicine
* School of Law & Government
* School of Design + Communication
* SWU "Next" Programs
* Basic Education (preschool, primary, junior high)
* Senior High School

## Notable alumni
### Politics

* Allan L. Rellon

### Sports

* Cyrus Baguio
* Arlo Chavez
* Ric-Ric Marata
* Yoyong Martirez
* Ben Mbala
* Mary Joy Tabal
* Mac Tallo
* Jojo Tangkay

### Entertainment

* Ahmed Cuizon
* Ernesto Lariosa
* Alma Moreno