History
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.