The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) has been elevated to the pinnacle of academic distinction, with its University Library securing the Outstanding Academic/Research Library Award for 2025 from the Philippine Association of Academic/Research Librarians, Inc. (PAARL). The prestigious accolade goes beyond mere recognition of function, affirming UA&P’s foundational commitment to exceptionally high standards in human-centered design for learning and the holistic development of the human person.

While the University formally submitted its entry under the Library Innovative Design Award category, PAARL recognized the library’s profound national contribution, relevance, and user-centered vision by conferring the higher distinction. This underscores the University's philosophy that innovative design is not an end in itself, but a transformative vehicle when aligned with institutional service and mission.

The library’s journey is rooted in a vision of excellence, starting as the CRC Information Center in 1969 and evolving into a unified university library in 1995. Responding to the dynamic needs of modern scholarship, the University pioneered the bold transformation toward a Learning Commons concept, approved in 2014, which fundamentally emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and technology-enabled learning spaces. The architectural planning and design for this award-winning space were led by Ar. Jose Antonio Narciso of Asian Architects, with the library formally inaugurated on February 28, 2020.

Commenting on the significance of the award, UA&P President Atty. John Philip R. Yeung stated, “This award is not just about a building; it is a validation of our strategic vision to put the human person at the center of all we do. The library is a vibrant hub that reflects Unitas, the solidarity of the human person, by purposefully building an environment where every student, faculty member, and researcher can realize their full potential through collective pursuit of knowledge and truth. Our design is a statement that excellence in education must be holistic, future-ready, and deeply rooted in our values.”

This focus on values is paramount to the University's identity. All branded communications and institutional assets are ensured to be in alignment with UA&P’s "Unitas" identity and academic standards, reinforcing its core brand messaging as a premium university serving as a gateway to Asia. The design philosophy extends beyond the physical structure, aiming for an intuitive and accessible user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) to serve the diverse needs of all institutional audiences.

The UA&P community celebrates this recognition as a powerful testament to the library’s role as a dynamic intellectual hub and a catalyst for collaborative, future-ready learning. The University was formally honored during the PAARL 53rd General Assembly and Awarding Ceremony held on January 30, 2026, at the National Library of the Philippines.

UA&P University Librarian Mrs. Hazel Anne Tavora-Pestio (fifth from left), together with UA&P Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs Dr. Fe Gladys Golo (sixth from left) and the UA&P Library Team (right), received the Outstanding Academic/Research Library Award from the officials of the Philippine Association of Academic/Research Librarians, Inc. during the association's 53rd General Assembly and Awarding Ceremony on January 30 at the National Library of the Philippines.