The University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos was founded in 1941 in
Talisay, Negros Occidental by Dr. Antonio A. Lizares and Dr. Francisco Kilayko. Then known as
Occidental Negros Institute, the school offered first and second years of
high school education. Upon the outbreak of
World War II in the Philippines in December of that same year, the institute closed temporarily.
Occidental Negros Institute was re-established in
Bacolod in 1946, this time offering
elementary, high school and three
tertiary degree programs. The campus transferred from Locsin street (formerly Smith Street) to Lupit Subdivision in Lizares Avenue, its present site, in 1950. Dr. Antonio Lizares served as the school's first President with Dr. Francisco Kilayko as the School Director. On May 15, 1957, ONI was elevated to university status by the Acting Secretary of Education, Martin V. Aguilar, Jr. ONI became the
University of Negros Occidental, the first university in the province. Five years later, on May 25, 1962, UNO was acquired by the
Augustinian Recollect friars. UNO became the
University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos with Fr. Federico Terradillos, OAR, as the first acting Rector. As of August 31, 2022, Reverend Fr. Joel A. Alve was appointed as the University's 18th president. ==Academics==