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The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), a coeducational, publicly funded academic, research and extension institution, is one of the seven constituent universities of the University of the Philippines System. It started as a College of Agriculture in 1909, became a full-fledged university in 1972, and has emerged as a leading academic institution in Southeast Asia. UPLB continues developing a critical mass of professionals in its traditional strongholds of agriculture and forestry and allied fields and its niche fields in natural resources management and conservation, environmental science, and other areas such as engineering and biotechnology nanotechnology, and informatics, and computer science. It will develop leaders committed to advancing inclusive growth through education, research, and public service. Its outstanding achievements in the primary and applied sciences testify to the great strides for the past years. The alumni continue to be the prime movers in the academe, in government, and business. The University is made up of nine colleges and two schools. It also has ten national research centers and institutes that were created by Philippine Law. The Philippine Commission on Higher Education has designated five of the University's colleges and schools as Centers of Excellence, while two academic institutes were declared as Centers of Development. There are 917 faculty as of July 31, 2013, composed of 105 Professors, 115 Associate Professors, 408 Assistant Professors, and 27 Instructors. There are also 7 Research Assistant Professors, 5 Research Associate Professors, and 4 Research Professors. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of the faculty has doctorate degrees. Of the 917, more than 500 are graduate faculty. Nearly 50 UPLB faculty have been appointed as Professor Emeriti. There are close to 50 international scientists who serve as adjunct professors. There are 186 researchers, 90 research associates, 31 extension specialists, and 18 extension associates as of July 31, 2013. UP has designated two faculty as UP Scientist III, two as UP Scientist II, and seven as Scientist I. The DOST Scientific Career System, on the other hand, has designated 13 UPLB researchers as DOST Scientists. Ten to twenty percent (10-20%) of the graduate students admitted each year are international students, the majority of whom are from neighboring countries in Asia such as Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao-PDR, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, and Thailand. A botanical herbarium of more than 70,000 specimens, an entomological museum of more than 120,000 pinned insect specimens in 285 families and 22 orders and about 5,000 slide-mounted insect species, as well as more than 75,000 slides of mites a forestry herbarium and wood collection, presents a collection of more than 12,000 specimens a moratorium which nurtures around 400 species of food, medicinal, tonic and ornamental plants a microbial culture collection of more than 400 strains of bacteria, 135 yeasts and 163 mold species and several algal cultures a mycological herbarium boasting of a collection of more than 11,000 ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and myxomycetes and a zoological and wildlife museum consisting of more than 15,000 stuffed birds and mammals, more than 500 reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds in liquid preservation, and around 700 shells on display. More than 40 ties and agreements with foreign universities worldwide. Active linkages with more than 50 foreign institutions and agencies in Australia, Canada, Cambodia, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, USA, Thailand, and VietNam.UPLB has a dedicated portal just for its research, development, and extension activities. It features a bi-annual newsletter, a collection of video presentations, databases of experts, projects and technologies, a catalog of training programs offerings and analytical services, and a calendar of events. The Office of the Vice-Chancellor maintains the UPLB RDE Portal for Research and Extension.UPLB has a long history in research and development. This started when the very first dean of the then UPCA included research in the curriculum and required all students to conduct a thesis study as a requirement for graduation. This research and development (R&D) has lived on and has produced some of the most significant technological developments to enhance food production and promote environmental sustainability in the country. We are pursuing inter- and transdisciplinary programs and collaborative research to address complex development and environmental concerns. We involve local and international universities and research institutions, non-government agencies, and civil society organizations, starting from the Los Baños Science Community's member institutions. Connectedness has allowed us to collaborate internationally in almost real-time. A dynamic and productive R&D sector provides an impetus for more insightful and grounded teaching. Involvement in R & D activities has enriched UPLB mentors' experience, allowing them more meaningful interactions with their students. It also accords the university of dispense technical advice in policymaking and leadership in national R&D programs. This R&D mandate is often carried out in collaboration with member-institutions of the Los Baños science community such as the International Rice Research Institute, World Agroforestry Centre, International Potato Center, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study, and Research in Agriculture, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, and a host of non-government and civil society organizations. Connectedness has allowed collaborations with other R&D institutions here and abroad. Our undergraduate students are among the best high school graduates from all over the country. Being a state university, "selection is based on the applicant's intellectual and personal preparedness irrespective of sex, religious belief, and political affiliation." On the other hand, our graduate students are carefully chosen by graduates and professionals who respond to the challenge of continuing and lifelong learning. Through our undergraduate and graduate curricular programs, we nurture individuals with the culture of scholarship and imbue them with public service value. As a community of scholars who live by honor and excellence, UPLB students are dedicated to discovery and learning. To enter the University of the Philippines Los Banos, one has to pass the UP College Admission Test or UPCAT. If you decide to take the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT), you will be among the many thousands who aspire to enter the University of the Philippines. The UPCAT is a competitive test. On average, 70 to 80 thousand aspiring students take the test each year, with only 16-17% passing. View full university