History

In response to the urgent need of properly trained Filipino veterinarians who would combat the widespread ravages of rinderpest in the country, the College of Veterinary Science was founded on June 18, 1908 through Republic Act No. 1870 by the Philippine Legislature. It was one of the original colleges of the University of the Philippines and was later renamed College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

With Dr. Archibald Ward as the first dean, the College started its first classes on June 4, 1910 with four students at the Animal Quarantine Station, Pandacan, Manila. The first batch of students graduated in the former four-year DVM program in 1914. The college has been relocated to five different places: San Lazaro, Manila (1912-1919); Los Baños, Laguna (1919-1933); back to Pandacan, Manila (1933-1949); Diliman, Quezon City (1949-1983) and finally to Los Baños, Laguna in 1983.

The final transfer of CVM from UP Diliman to UP Los Baños was due to the approval of the university Board of Regents in 1976, as decreed by the World Bank. As an offshoot of the decision, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital was maintained in UP Diliman while the college administration, academic departments and research facilities were gradually transferred to UPLB in June 2003. At present, CVM maintains its facilities in three stations, namely, Los Baños, Laguna; Diliman, Quezon City; and Maahas, Los Baños near Tabon, Bay, Laguna.

CVM was the only veterinary school in the country from 1910-1960 and during this time, it has produced 450 veterinarians or an average of nine per year. Since 1996, the college maintains three academic departments, the Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. At present, CVM has 101 personnel consisting of 42 faculty members, 52 administrative staff and 7 research and extension personnel. At present, CVM is the only veterinary school in the country offering Master of Science degree in Veterinary Medicine.