The University began as the Vigan High School (present-day Ilocos Sur National High School) in 1906. Its shop department was converted into a separate intermediate level school, named the Vigan Trade School, in 1910. It opened its high school in 1927, and produced its first graduates in 1931, when it evolved into the Ilocos Sur Trade School. They were located in Vigan town. Two of the buildings still exist - one being used as a warehouse for a construction supply firm; the other is now the location of the Vigan City Trade Center.
President Manuel Luis Quezon converted the Ilocos Sur Trade School in 1941 though the help of Assemblyman Benito Soliven and Governor Pedro Singson Reyes. However, World War II began, which halted its implementation.
In 1951 the Ilocos Sur Trade School became the Northern Luzon School of Arts and Trades (NLSAT) by virtue of Republic Act 547. However, Republic Act 2700, or the General Appropriations Act of 1960, converted it back to being Ilocos Sur School of Arts and Trades (ISSAT).
It proved temporary, however, when, on June 19, 1965, Republic Act 4449, authored by then Congressman Floro S. Crisologo, was approved, thus converting ISSAT into the University of Northern Philippines. It then began implementing its Charter on August 14, 1965. Crisologo is recognized as the founder of the University.
The Candon Community College (CCC) was incorporated into the University in 1989 through Republic Act 6744, though the efforts of then Congressman Eric D. Singson. It acts as a semi-autonomous unit.
In the late 1980s construction of the College of Health Sciences building, the tallest building in the entire university (and one of the tallest in Ilocos Sur), was started, and was finished in 1997. It houses all of its nursing- and medicine-related courses.
The University Infirmary is due for completion in 2009 and the Santo Domingo campus in Barangay Quimmarayan, which will house its agricultural courses.
In 2008 the university's FM radio station, dwNP, was relaunched. It occupies the 100.5 MHz frequency, moving from its old, weak 88.5 MHz frequency.
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