Mapua offers course on AI engineering

MANILA, Philippines — Mapua University, under the Yuchengco Group of Companies, officially launched yesterday a new bachelor’s program in artificial intelligence (AI) engineering, touting it as the first in the country and part of its push to better prepare students for the rapid rise of AI-driven industries.

University president and chief executive officer Dodjie Maestrecampo said their new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering program seeks to produce specialists who can drive innovation in one of the world’s fastest-growing fields.

“AI is no longer optional. It is reshaping industries, redefining skills, and reimagining learning itself,” Maestrecampo said during the launch event at the university’s Makati campus.

He added that the university’s “co-intelligence” strategy would integrate AI across all programs while promoting responsible and ethical use.

Further, he cited a recent survey, which found that 92 percent of Mapua students are already using generative AI tools to summarize content, brainstorm ideas, or enhance productivity.

Likewise, he said that this shift in learning comes as around 36 percent of jobs in the Philippines are projected to be eased or displaced by artificial intelligence, a trend that makes it urgent to prepare learners to lead in this transformation.

Meanwhile, College of Engineering dean Arnold Paglinawan said the course was designed with reference to the Philippine Skills Framework for Analytics, a government-backed guide for aligning training with industry demand.

“The groundbreaking initiative positions us at the forefront of educational innovation, preparing students not just to learn about AI, but to lead its ethical development and deployment,” he said during the same event.

Citing the government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Paglinawan said that artificial intelligence-related jobs are projected to grow by over 40 percent, with a median salary starting at $95,000 annually.

This outlook, he said, illustrates the urgency of equipping Filipino graduates with skills that meet global standards while ensuring ethical and responsible use of the technology.

The program already admitted its first batch of around 70 students last August at Mapua’s Intramuros campus, where its engineering courses are based.

Alongside the new program, Mapua also opened the Co-Intelligence for Education Hub at its Makati campus, a facility seen as a collaborative space for students, faculty, and industry partners to develop AI-driven projects.