The Building Research Service was officially created on July 29, 1971 through the approval of the Board of Regents in its 811th meeting. It was mandated to foster and undertake integrated research, advisory, and information services in building and housing in the Philippines. It was also tasked to publish and disseminate the results of its research and studies to students, researchers, scholars, builders, contractors, government agencies, and the public. The College of Engineering, the College of Architecture, and the Institute of Planning (now School of Urban and Regional Planning) initiated the establishment of this joint research service.
Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center. A center for Philippine art and culture, the Jorge B. Vargas Museum and Filipiniana Research Center’s (Vargas Museum) main thrusts are research, exhibition, and education.
The museum was named after the Philippines’ first executive secretary. In 1978, Vargas, a UP alumnus, donated to UP his collection of artworks, stamps and coins, library, personal papers, and memorabilia.
National Center for Transportation Studies. The NCTS, formerly the Transport Training Center (TTC), was established on July 12, 1976 to upgrade the capability of government personnel concerned with transportation through intensive and practical training in the fields of traffic engineering, planning, and management. In 1993, TTC was renamed as NCTS.
The NCTS offers technical expertise on traffic engineering and transportation planning, and advocates environmentally sustainable transport (EST), including low-carbon transport, road safety, and people-friendly transport infrastructure.
For almost four decades, the NCTS has worked on supporting academic instruction, promoting and conducting scholarly research and training, information dissemination, and other extension services in the field of transportation. Presently, the NCTS is actively promoting the development and greater use of sustainable modes of transportation and doing research activities in cooperation with concerned government agencies towards the development of a well-integrated national transportation system.
Natural Sciences Research Institute. The NSRI is a research center under the College of Science. It is mandated to undertake research in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences, and Mathematics. It also organizes interdisciplinary research programs and supports the graduate programs of the College of Science in these fields of study. The NSRI provides other services on request and, when feasible, helps with research needs such as consultancies, training, technical support, analytical support, and printing services. The Institute disseminates research findings through scientific publications, workshops, conferences, and seminars. All of these mandates are towards the improvement of the quality of life of Filipinos.
Established in 1964 through Republic Act 3887 signed by former Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, the center was first named the Natural Sciences Research Center (NSRC). Former UP President Salvador Lopez led the formal inauguration and dedication of the NSRC in 1972. Through Executive Order No. 889 signed by former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, the NSRI was organized from the NSRC. In 2000, the NSRI building was named Miranda Hall in honor of the late Prof. Bienvenido T. Miranda, the Institute’s first director.
Sentro ng Wikang Filipino. The SWF is an institution that promotes the advancement of the Filipino language as a medium for teaching, research and publication, and official communications as mandated by Article XIV, Section 6 and 7 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.