The University of the Visayas was founded in 1919 as the Visayan Institute (V.I.) in Cebu City. The second World War razed to the ground the physical facilities of the V.I. at its original site. Undaunted by adversities, Don Vicente reopened classes in Argao, Cebu in 1946. A year later, the Institute moved back to its present site along Colon corner D. Jakosalem Streets, Cebu City.
In 1948, the Visayan Institute was awarded university status, the first to become a university in Cebu, and was renamed the University of the Visayas (UV).
Since then, the expansion in its basic education, undergraduate and graduate offerings and in its physical facilities has been phenomenal. Don Vicente Gullas also brought education closer to the people as the school opened a total of eight satellite campuses across Cebu Province making it the private University in Cebu with the most number of external campuses.
The University of the Visayas envisions to be an internationally recognized private non-sectarian university committed to academic excellence, transformational and innovative education.
Build and embrace a sustainable research culture among students, faculty and non-teaching staff in support of its academic programs and community extension thrusts.
Develop the talents and potentials of the students towards the practice of professions to be responsive to the changing local and global industry requirements.
Capacitate a community guided by the university extension program and be a catalyst for social transformation.
Develop a community of God-centered, nationalistic, and globally competitive professionals with proactive values and attitudes.