Far from its very humble beginnings, the Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig had grown much from just being an ordinary technician institute in the country. Definitely, the transformation of Philippine economy from being principally agricultural into one with extensive industrial activities resulted in a vast demand of highly-trained industrial technicians.
That was…
Post secondary technical education being offered in state colleges and vocational schools had intended to produce engineers and thus the demand for middle-level manpower was not met. Since manpower development plays a vital role in achieving our country’s economical objectives, the lack of qualified industrial technicians has been a constraint in this move towards industrial and technical expansion.
Technical Education in our country started in the late sixties. In December 1969, the Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education ecommended the development of the so-called middle-level manpower through the establishment of special post-secondary technician institutes for the training or retraining of skilled technicians and artisans. It led to the formation of Education Task Force (ETF) and the issuance of the Presidential Decree No. 6-A also known as the Educational Development Decree of 1972, which created the Educational Development Projects Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF) that would supervise and implement foreign-assisted projects in education. EDPITAF, through the financial support of World Bank, established two technician institutes: the Manila Technician Institute (MTI) and the Visayas Institute of Technology to provide service to Luzon and Visayas areas of the country, respectively. Iligan Institute of Technology under the Mindanao State University was strengthened and expanded to cater the Mindanao area.
On July 11, 1973, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1160 that reserved a parcel of land measuring 100,000 square meters for the construction of MTI at Taguig.
MTI, on a trimester calendar, opened its doors to the first 145 technician students drafted from different provinces of Luzon on June 14, 1977. Dr. Bernardo F. Adiviso became the first head of the institute as Project Implementing Officer (PIO) and Mr. Josefino P. Gascon as Assistant to the PIO. The programs offered at MTI were Automotive, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical and Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Technology.
The Presidential Letter of Instruction No. 654 in 1978 formally established MTI as a prototype state school and its inauguration was held on March of the following year, which was attended by then President Marcos. Presidential Letter of Implementation No. 79 established the National Polytechnic System (NPS) on Technical/Technician Education through the integration of all state-supported institutions in the Philippines. It also incorporated MTI under the administration and supervision of the Technological University of the Philippines.
Upon ratification of the TUP Board of Regents Resolution No. 100 s. 1985, MTI adopted its new name: the Technological University of the Philippines – Taguig (TUP – Taguig), on January 3, 1985. On the same year, a survey among its graduates was conducted which revealed the need for a continuing education program as a tool for professional advancement and upper-level management positions.
On June 1986, the Bachelor of Technology and Bachelor of Engineering were offered for graduates of three-year technician programs who had been employed in the industry. Two years later, degree programs such as Bachelor of Science in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, and Electronics & Communications Engineering were added to the campus course offerings adopting the ladderized approach from the three-year Diploma of Technology courses.
TUP – Taguig aimed at providing for the manpower needs of the industry that resulted in offering additional technology programs: Computer Technology (1983), Architectural Technology and Instrumentation & Control Technology (1988), and Biochemical Technology, Foundry Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Technology, Non-destructive Technology, and Tool Engineering Technology (1989). Master of Technology and Master in Management were implemented in 1991. The Bachelor of Technology major in Information Technology was offered in 2002 in response to the growing demand for graduates of information and communications technology.
That is…
As a part of the growing TUP system, TUP – Taguig enjoys the same vigor of the other TUP campuses in Visayas, Cavite and Manila. TUP – Taguig is tasked to provide higher and advanced vocational, industrial, technological and professional education in industries and technology and in practical arts leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees. It is to provide leadership in applied research and developmental studies in technical, industrial and production using indigenous materials.
Focused on its vision of being a center of excellence in technology and engineering education, TUP – Taguig has aligned its programs, projects and activities to meet the challenges of a globally-competitive university. In 2005, TUP – Taguig adopted the regular straight course approach, deviating from the ladderized programs, for two baccalaureate degrees: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BS EE) and Bachelor of Science in Electronics & Communications Engineering (BS ECE).
The students’ welfare and development have always been the foremost thrust of TUP – Taguig. Ten scholarship grants are being enjoyed by qualified students, excluding grants by industries to their qualified employees enrolled at the campus. Students in the engineering technology undergo a Supervised Industrial Training (ST) to industries where they can apply their specializations.
One of the most significant contributions of TUP – Taguig is the strong linkage with the industry, particularly through the Continuing Education Program (CEP). Selected technical employees of multi-national companies such as Nestle Philippines, Inc., Amkor Technology Philippines, Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., ON Semiconductor, SCG Philippines, Inc., Temic Automotive Philippines, Inc., and PSI Technologies, Inc. can avail of the opportunity to finish a program in technician course or a Bachelor of Engineering degree, a non-licensure engineering course. Students under CEP attend their classes either on plant site where special lecture is provided or in-campus for laboratory classes or whichever is applicable.
The Research and Extension activities at TUP – Taguig have contributed to the attainment of the Campus mission of providing applied research, developmental studies and relevant extension services which are responsive to the economic and development goals of the country. Student researches are equally gaining recognition in national level.
That will be…
From 145 students way back in 1977, TUP – Taguig’s student population ballooned to 2,693 on 2006 and will continue to grow on these demanding times for technology and industrial education. TUP – Taguig has sustained all its program offerings for three decades and will continue to develop its course offerings as the needs for technology and industrial education arise.
Aside from high-quality education at a reasonable tuition and miscellaneous expenses, access to competitive education is now not limited to conventional means. Through its unfaltering commitment in providing quality education, TUP – Taguig is preparing for its pursuit of accreditation by the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACUP).
Many reforms and infrastructure developments are actively trailed by TUP – Taguig, utilizing short and long-term strategies aimed to sustain the drive of its growth and development. Among which includes a five-year development program as by TUP – Taguig’s Campus Director, Prof. Avelino F. Cubangbang, focusing on the following Seven-Point Agenda: realignment of program and development of responsive, market driven curricular offerings; enhancement of personnel capability; achieving an efficient and effective management system; strengthen research and continue dynamism of extension services; upgrading and maintenance of facilities; maintain a safe, orderly, and clean campus; and enhance resource generation.
As the institution turns another page in its timeline and celebrates 30 unwavering years of existence as a producer of highly competent technicians and engineers in the country this 2007, TUP – Taguig has certainly shaped its function in the Philippine educational system as the zenith and model of excellence in quality technological and industrial education.
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Written by xyso for Manila Bulletin, March 4, 2007, for TUP-T’s 30th Foundation Celebration.
Breaking the Silence 