mapua

The Mapúa Institute of Technology was founded on January 25, 1925 by Don Tomas Mapua, an Architecture graduate of Cornell University in USA and the first registered Filipino architect. He envisioned an educational institution that shall emphasize the importance of science and technology and create an impact on the economy and the quality of life of the Filipino. The Institute was founded as a private non- sectarian institute of higher learning pioneering in technical education. Initially a night school, it started with eighty (80) students enrolled in Civil Engineering and Architecture. Classes were held in a rented commercial building in Carriedo St. in Quiapo. Three (3) years later, the Institute offered high school to give students a better foundation for a higher technical education. By 1934, three (3) degree programs had been added to the list of degree program offerings - Mining Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry and by 1940, two (2) more were added - mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. Mapúa Institute of Technology was not spared from the ravages of war but it resumed operations after the liberation of Manila rising again in a new site bounded by Doroteo Jose and Miserecordia St. (now Don Tomas Mapúa Street). In the late 50's, the Institute branched out to Intramuros housing the School of Architecture and the upper engineering degree programs. The School of Basic Studies (General Engineering) and the high school department remained at the Doroteo Jose compound. The tradition of academic excellence established by Don Tomas was carried on even after his demise on December 22, 1965. His only son, Don Oscar B. Mapúa, took over the presidency armed with the commitment to the furtherance of the vision of the founder of the Institute. With the expansion of its facilities, the Intramuros complex was ready to take the entire collegiate department in 1973. Concurrent with the physical expansion program was the introduction of more degree programs: Industrial Engineering in 1972, Industrial Design in 1976 and Computer Engineering in 1983. Today, the Institute offers 15 bachelor programs. It also offers 4 graduate programs - Master of Science in Architecture, Master of Science in Chemistry, Master of Science in Engineering Geology/Geotechnical Engineering and Master of Engineering. It has a population of about 15,000 students. The success of the efforts of the Institute to establish a culture of excellence in education is firmly evidenced in the high performance of its graduates in the licensure examinations, consistently placing in the top ten and maintaining a high percentage of passing rate. This accounts for the high demand for Mapúa graduates by private and government institutions where a big number of important positions are occupied by alumni of the Institute. To ensure quality education, the Institute employs outstanding faculty members who are highly qualified in terms of academic degrees and teaching experience. The qualifications of these teachers are enhanced through scholarship grants for higher learning as well as attendance in conventions and seminars to keep abreast of the latest in teaching approaches. Excellence in teaching is always encouraged, acknowledged and rewarded. When President Oscar B. Mapua passed away on March 17, 1998, his son Architect Oscar B. Mapua, Jr. took over his duties until December 1999 when the ownership of the Institute was passed on to a business conglomerate headed by Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco. Ambassador Yuchengco, a long time benefactor of economically disadvantaged students, believes that Mapúa Institute of Technology should help address the demands of the new millennium for quality professionals in order to achieve economic progress and move the country forward. It is his vision to develop Mapúa into an international center of engineering, architecture and IT education in order to take a lead role in producing graduates who shall offer world class professional services in the knowledge-based global economy of today. In response to this vision, the present president of the Institute, Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, has placed the strengthening of the curricular program on top of his agenda. It shall respond to the challenges of globalization in order to produce graduates who shall be at par with their foreign counterparts. It shall integrate and put primary emphasis on information technology in all degree programs, IT being vital to global competitiveness in the workplace. The new Mapúa Institute of Technology has started to establish linkages with other technological schools and cyber-tech institutions so that Mapuans will have global access to knowledge and techniques. It has also improved its infrastructures to enhance the teaching and learning environment. It is also building up its research capabilities. With the inspiration of Ambassador Yuchengco and with President Vea at the helm, Mapúa can look forward to more fruitful years ahead.