The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) has launched three new graduate engineering programs to address the gaps in the quantity and quality of engineers in Mindanao and in the country.
The programs were officially introduced during a ceremonial launch held April 30, 2025, at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites.
Starting academic year 2025-2026, UPMin will offer the Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE), the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (MSIE), and the Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering (MEng IE) through a hyflex learning mode. The initiative is a the university, through a partnership with the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Engineering and with support from the UP Los Baños (UPLB) College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology,
Aside from officials and administrators from the UP System and its constituent universities, the event was also attended by representatives from the private sector such as Unifrutti, Allado Construction, and PhilSaga Mining, other higher education institutions in Mindanao such as Caraga State University and representatives from the Davao Colleges and Universities Network (DACUN), and Davao-based alumni of UPD’s engineering program.
Boosting the Number of Engineers in the Country
During the press briefing, UP President Angelo Jimenez emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s engineering workforce. He noted that the Philippines produces only 50 engineers per 100,000 people—significantly fewer than neighboring countries like Vietnam, with 105, and Malaysia, with 175 engineers per 100,000 population.
Mindanao, despite being one of the country’s most resource-rich regions, continues to face challenges in infrastructure development, access to reliable utilities, and a shortage of highly technical professionals.
Only 12% of the nation’s engineering students are based in Mindanao—a figure that underscores the region’s underrepresentation and the urgent need for locally trained experts. The new programs aim to directly address these gaps: civil engineering will focus on building resilient roads, bridges, and water systems; industrial engineering will help optimize agricultural processing and strengthen local value chains; and future offerings in environmental and energy engineering will help power off-grid communities through green technologies.
“When we produce engineers, we promote progress, when we promote progress, you build nations,” Jimenez said, underscoring the transformative vision behind the initiative.
“We are serious in bringing quality education to Mindanao,” he added. “We want to help build peace and progress through social justice—and bringing high-quality education in Mindanao is an act of justice.”
Graduate Program Before Undergraduate Programs
The new engineering graduate programs are strategically designed to meet Mindanao’s regional needs. Rather than competing with existing universities, these programs aim to complement them by producing highly qualified engineers, future professors, and scholars who will help build local capacity and promote sustainable development.
UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II emphasized the crucial role of these master’s programs in developing a pool of qualified instructors, which is essential for strengthening undergraduate engineering education in Mindanao’s state universities and colleges. He highlighted the importance of faculty development, ideally up to the doctoral level, to enable these institutions to eventually offer their own graduate programs.
“This is one way to jump start that so that the local faculty here can earn their masters and eventually we can make our PhD programs available also,” Vistan said.
He also pointed out the need to enhance engineering research, which is often overlooked in practice-focused curricula. “What we are actually trying to address here is the research aspect of Engineering,” he added.
A recent UP Diliman survey found strong interest in the new programs, with 40 prospective students in Mindanao expressing intent to apply. This demand underscores the timeliness of this initiative, which has long been long awaited by the UP Mindanao community.
UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni E. Murao described development as a process in which individuals and communities gain the knowledge, skills, values, and confidence to shape their own futures—building not just a stronger Mindanao but a more just, sustainable, and resilient Philippines.
She describes engineers as “force multipliers” whose work enhances the impact of infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience in the region.
“When an engineer designs a bridge in Cotabato, they’ll know it’s not just concrete—it’s a lifeline connecting farmers to markets, children to schools, and families to opportunity,” she said.
Access and Equity through HyFlex Learning and Scholarships
The new engineering programs will be delivered via HyFlex learning—a combination of live online classes and periodic in-person sessions—offering flexibility for working professionals and expand access across Mindanao. A survey revealed a strong preference for weekend classes, particularly Saturdays and evenings, to better accommodate students’ schedules.
UP Diliman College of Engineering Dean Maria Antonia Tanchuling emphasized the importance of enabling faculty from other universities to pursue graduate studies without leaving their communities. To help ease financial burdens, students may apply for Department of Science and Technology Engineering Research and Development for Technology ((DOST-ERDT) scholarships, allowing them to focus on studies without sacrificing income.
This initiative exemplifies the “One UP” approach, in which UP campuses collaborate by sharing faculty expertise, curricula, and technology to ensure Mindanao students receive education equal in rigor and quality to that of other UP campuses.
To further support student learning, UP Mindanao is seeking donations to develop HyFlex-ready facilities through fundraising packages like “Tech Champion,” “Digital Visionary,” and “Starter Supporter,” which provide essential equipment for both in-person and remote learners.
Future Directions
UP Mindanao has long planned to expand into engineering and medical education, but early visions for specialized colleges delayed by various challenges.
Marking the university’s 30th anniversary, Chancellor Lyre Anni E. Murao called for collective action to “reshape, re-engage, and rethink our path toward greater excellence,” aiming to deliver education that addresses Mindanao’s unique needs.
In 2024, UP President Angelo Jimenez committed to establishing colleges of engineering and medicine at UP Mindanao. The recent launch of graduate engineering programs marks significant progress toward this goal.
For academic year 2025-2026, UP Mindanao will offer new programs through the College of Science and Mathematics. These include a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering (in collaboration with UP Los Baños), doctoral programs in data science, artificial intelligence, chemical, civil, computer science and industrial engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
A five-year expansion plan is underway to establish programs in computer, electrical, electronics, energy, environmental, geodetic, industrial, and materials science engineering. Mining and metallurgical engineering degrees are expected to follow within a decade.
These initiatives align with UP’s participation in the Engineering Research and Development for Technology consortium and advocacy for a National Institute of Engineering.
Chancellor Murao emphasized local impact: “Mindanao’s future will be built by Mindanaoans—by engineers, innovators, and leaders who understand this land and are committed to shared, inclusive prosperity.”
UP Diliman Chancellor Vistan also underscored the initiative’s national significance, noting that the Philippines produces fewer than 50 engineering graduates per 100,000 population—a figure far below regional benchmarks.
Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling, director of UP’s National Graduate School of Engineering, pointed to Mindanao’s projected ₱1.2 trillion in infrastructure investments and emphasized the urgent need for a stronger engineering workforce. Only 12% of the country’s engineering students come from Mindanao, she said, highlighting the opportunity to build local expertise for the region’s future
UP Mindanao seeks government, industry, and academic partnerships through policy advocacy, infrastructure investment, public-private collaborations, scholarships, and expert engagement to ensure quality education reaches all of Mindanao.
Written by KC Ann Neljane Abella and Kitiara Ia Dela Cruz (With inputs from Rene Estremera)