Adi Joaquim Tolentino

The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) offers three new graduate engineering programs, in partnership with the UP Diliman College of Engineering, to address the shortage of engineers nationwide.

Photo Courtesy of UP Mindanao Public Relations Office.

During the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites in Davao City on April 30, UP President Angelo A. Jimenez emphasized the urgency of addressing the country’s engineering gap through accessible, high-quality education in Mindanao.

“This is not just about opening classrooms; this is about opening doors. We want to make sure that talents in Mindanao have somewhere local to go for quality engineering education. They don’t have to go very far. They’ll be getting their training and education here in our land,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez cited the country’s low engineer-to-population ratio, just 50 engineers per 100,000 people, compared to Vietnam’s 105, Malaysia’s 175, Singapore’s 200, and South Korea’s 285.

“There’s a dire need for engineers in the country today. The estimate is that we need 570,000 more engineers to support infrastructure and improve systems and processes,” he said.

Starting Academic Year 2025–2026, UPMin will offer three programs under the Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) learning mode: Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, and Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering.

The programs are being launched under the academic supervision of the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Engineering and will later be transferred to UP Mindanao.

According to Jimenez, the initiative forms part of UP’s commitment to making quality education available to lifelong Filipino learners wherever they are.

“This initiative is aligned with UP’s mission of making quality UP education more accessible to lifelong Filipino learners, whatever their circumstances,” he said.

In the Philippines, only 12% of engineering students are in Mindanao, despite the region’s large population and economic potential, according to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

“UP Mindanao is uniquely positioned to help close this gap; by working closely with our colleagues in UP Diliman and the rest of the UP System, we are not only expanding access, we are also ensuring that Mindanao-based students receive the same academic rigor and excellence expected from UP,” UPMin Chancellor Lyre Anni E. Murao stated.

Murao also said the programs address specific needs in Mindanao’s development.

“There’s more infrastructure to be built, hence the demand for civil engineers. Our main economy is agriculture, so the agri-industrial value chain can be addressed by industrial engineers,” she added.

Dean Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling of the UPD College of Engineering said the university is also exploring the inclusion of agricultural and biosystems engineering in future program offerings.

“UP alone cannot solve the shortage of engineers; we have to collaborate with other institutions offering engineering programs,” Tanchuling expressed.

Meanwhile, UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II said strengthening research is also a goal of the program.

“We have many talented engineers, but our research capability still needs improvement. We want to fill that gap,” Vistan noted.

Jimenez added that the initiative is both a developmental and peace-building effort.

“When we produce engineers, we promote progress. When we promote progress, we build a nation. And that is the best way to address the question of peace,” he said. 

Over 200 participants attended the formal launch, including UP officials, alumni engineers, State Universities and Colleges (SUC) representatives, and members of the academe and private sector.