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| Mapúa University honors centenarian and esteemed alumnus, Engr. Rafael Florentino, for his lifelong contributions and enduring legacy at the Thanksgiving Gala held at the Manila Hotel. (Image Source: Business Mirror/Mapúa University) |
Mapúa University, the Philippines' premier engineering and technological institution, has culminated its centennial year celebrations with academic and cultural events highlighting the institute’s innumerable contributions and impact since its founding in 1925. The festivities, led by Mapúa University president and chief executive officer (CEO) Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, enabled students, alumni, and fellow Filipino educators to reflect on Mapúa’s journey, achievements, and singular focus of excellence as it continuously empowers future leaders to build the future.
The week-long celebration kicked off with the Centennial Square Unveiling at the Intramuros campus, the Eugene Torre Chess Cup led by its namesake Filipino chess grandmaster and Mapúa alumnus Eugene Torre, a Grand Centennial Float Parade and Street Dance Competition, the last set of Centennial Lectures, and the 2025 International Conference on Sustainable Environmental Technologies (ICSET) Conference. These activities were followed by the book launch of Mapúa’s immediate past president and CEO and now iPeople Inc. Chairman and CEO Dr. Reynaldo Vea, titled “A History of Futures Past: A Collection of Speeches”, which serves as a basis for his chronicles during his time as president of the University, a testimonial dinner for alumni topnotchers, the laying of the University time capsule, Alumni Night, and the unveiling ceremony of the Centennial Monument and Petro Garden. The much-awaited Thanksgiving Gala Lunch, Institutional Salo-salo, Centennial Concert, and a gathering of alumni from all over the world capped the celebration. Prior to its centennial year, the University launched a year-long countdown in 2024 to drum up excitement for the event. The countdown was highlighted by the unveiling of the Centennial Countdown Wall, the Centennial Mural “Siglo”, and a benefit concert for scholars.
The institution also strived to attain various milestones leading to the founding anniversary such as its inclusion in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR) 2025 with a 1501+ overall rank, attaining the first Quality Matters (QM) certification for a Philippine education system, and bagging the much-coveted NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Season 100 basketball title after a 33-year wait. As the University moves into the next 100 years, Dr. Maestrecampo stated that Mapúa will continue to be a beacon of progress as it persists in pushing the boundaries of the landscape of education to ensure that its graduates are not just ready for the future but are also capable of creating it, saying, “Mapúa’s turn into its next century signifies its readiness to face challenges and opportunities to ensure that students would be ready for the workplace and life itself. Students can expect a more vibrant learning community, a top-notch educational experience wherein they are immersed in cutting-edge technology to aid them in learning, research, and community extension projects, and a meaningful engagement in vibrant campus life to balance their academic with extracurricular activities, enabling them to develop their leadership skills.” said Dr. Maestrecampo. While the higher education institution (HEI) continues to establish another century of excellence by educating and preparing an even larger global network of future achievers who are bold enough to push boundaries to reshape and steer the future of the nation and the world, Mapua’s roadmap remains anchored on innovation.
Dr. Maestrecampo explained the University’s plans to strengthen its offering of fully online senior high school, undergraduate, and graduate programs to broaden the educational opportunities for learners who cannot attend face-to-face classes. The institution will continue integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its program curricula to foster co-intelligence among its learners. This approach will enhance their digital literacy and competency in learning, working, and maximizing AI. To complement this, the institution’s new and improved university-wide digital tools Ally and EAC Visual Data, Engage, and MapúaX have enhanced the learning experience of Filipino students and professionals through enhanced learner support, engagement, and comprehensive access to educational resources. This 2025, the HEI also plans to expand its advanced placement and crediting system for senior high school (SHS) students so they can seamlessly transition to their chosen undergraduate programs. Mapúa undergraduate courses will be embedded into the SHS curriculum so students can take them in advance and have the units credited as they enter college. It will also promote the upskilling and reskilling of students and working professionals through micro-credentialing and industry-aligned curriculum, so they’re assured of future-resilient careers. At the same time, it will actively contribute to global research by spearheading technology-driven innovations and participating in local and international collaborations.
Know more about Mapúa’s century of excellence at https://bit.ly/ask-us-at-mapua. Students interested in beginning their journey to world-class education at Mapúa University may visit admissions.mapua.edu.ph.
