The Best Engineering Schools in the Philippines

The engineering industry has grown over the years and continues to do so with new branches that were not offered a century ago. Engineering schools around the world have always been packed with students. 

The Republic of the Philippines is one of the countries in Southeast Asia with the highest number of engineering graduates. These graduates may come from a wide range of variant types of upper-level schools. Students looking for the best engineering colleges in the Philippines will find that there are a myriad of options for such a small country.

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Best Engineering Schools to Consider in the Philippines

Mapúa Institute of Technology

Now known simply as Mapúa University. It was established in 1925 and is located in Intramuros, Manila (a historical location) and has branched out into Makati as well. The university is one of the best engineering colleges in the Philippines. It has produced many well-known and successful engineers and architects.

University of Santo Tomas

This is the oldest university in Asia. Being the oldest makes it a university with many firsts. It is a private university known locally as the “Pontifical, Royal, and Catholic University of the Philippines.” It was founded in 1611. The university has more than 1,500 academic staff and 44,791 total students on record as of 2015.

Technological Institute of the Philippines

The Technological Institute of the Philippines or TIP is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian research school founded on February 8, 1962. Its academic affiliations include PACU, PACUCOA, PERAA, PATE, PTC, PICAB, ABET, ASEAN University Network, Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning, and International Association of Universities.

Bulacan State University

Bucalan is believed to have been established in 1904 by Americans, first as an intermediate school. The school currently serves 388 full-time academic staff and 457 part-time professionals. The university has recorded approximately 45,000 students.

De La Salle University – Manila

De La Salle was established by its namesake founders, the De La Salle siblings, on June 16, 1911. It has campuses located in Taft, Laguna, Makati, Ortigas, and Bonifacio Global City. It is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock incorporation. The university has approximately 100 graduate programs and 74 undergraduate programs. Included in these numbers are 14 double degrees for students who want to take more than one degree in a shorter amount of time.

University of the East

This university was formerly known as the Philippine College of Commerce and Business Administration between the years of 1946 to 1951. Its chairman, Lucio Tan, is a Filipino-Chinese billionaire businessman. He was listed as the second richest man in the world by Forbes in 2013. The University of the East is one of the few selected schools to have been granted the “Autonomous Status” by CHED (Commission on Higher Education), a defining government agency.

Engineering Courses in the Philippines

Engineering schools around the world may not always have all types of engineering courses. Some of the best engineering schools also have different names for the same type of engineering course. It is important to know the differences before a candidate enrolls in a course in order to ensure that his or her specific educational needs will be met. 

The following are some of the most common engineering courses offered in the Philippines: 

1. Civil Engineering – a very popular course in this island country. Those who have successfully completed the course have the opportunity to work as a Professional Civil Engineer overseeing road constructions, building constructions for shopping malls, residential houses, and other commercial building and city infrastructures.
2. Mechanical Engineering – students who graduate as Mechanical Engineers handle the design and maintenance of anything mechanical, such as engines, machines, and even the transportation systems.
3. Marine Engineering – Marine Engineers are responsible for maintaining and monitoring engines, constructing and stabilizing ships, and other works related to keeping sea vessels and machinery to be used at sea in great condition.
4. Geodetic Engineering – someone who completes this course will be equipped with the knowledge and skills of using GIS and GPS. The most popular job these types of engineers get is overseeing or conducting surveys of lands to assist clients in securing land titles.
5. Industrial Engineering – this is a 5-year degree program, like some of the engineering courses. Industrial Engineers are expected to know how to design, maintain, operate, and manage systems as well as manufacturing processes.

Other engineering courses offered in the Philippines may include Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Aeronautical Engineering.

Critical Skills Engineering Students Need to Learn

Choosing the best engineering college is crucial to the development of a student’s knowledge and skills. Without learning the necessary knowledge and skills, the student can either fail to graduate or graduate successfully but may fail in their career eventually.

Like any other profession, there are fundamental skills that stand out among many others. In engineering, these skills are a top priority if the candidate wishes to be successful.

1. Leadership – working in the engineering industry is not a “one-person sport." They will always be working with people of different personalities and backgrounds. An effective engineer is one who has strong leadership skills. Leadership is not about giving out commands but being able to delegate when needed and withhold delegation when it is not necessary. It is being able to decide on a matter with the focus in mind and lead the team.
2. Teamwork – there’s no leader if there is no team. There is no team if there is no teamwork. Teamwork is being able to work together for a common goal, despite the differences in attitude and perspectives.
3. Communication – engineers must be confident in communicating with people of different status. This is because they will not only work with their respective teams, but they will work with different clients. Some may be well-known people in high places and others may be ordinary citizens.
4. Analytical thinking – engineers must be problem-solvers. They will face problems regularly as part of their work. They must be quick to analyze situations and apply best practices, and follow processes as best as they can in order to run a project successfully.
5. Aptitude – this is your ability to learn. Engineers must have the heart to learn. They must not be close-minded. Things evolve and they include engineering processes, systems, and client requirements. They must be willing to let their knowledge and skills evolve with time.

Attending any one of the noteworthy graduate schools in the Philippines can lend valuable leverage in securing a future career in engineering.