On the road to engineering excellence

MANILA, Philippines - Around the globe, Filipino engineers are accorded respect and admiration, thanks to efforts in the Philippines to professionalize the industry and to continuously elevate levels of learning excellence by institutions such as the Mapua Institute of Technology.

Established in 1925 by Tomas Mapua, the first registered Filipino architect, it is one of the premier tertiary schools in the Philippines that consistently produce top-notch graduates in engineering, architecture and related sciences.

Recently, Mapua’s engineering programs was accredited by the US-based Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), an internationally respected authority in the accreditation of college and university programs in applied sciences, computing, engineering and technology.

The recognition has made Mapua’s educational programs at par with those of Western universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, as well as with more than 670 other academic institutions in 23 countries. It means Mapua graduates can easily take up masteral or doctorate degrees in any of these schools — with their credentials and academic records duly recognized — as well as eventually practice their profession in any country that recognizes ABET.

According to Manuel Belino, dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering, this achievement was in large part due to Mapua’s shift to outcomes-based education (OBE).

“This is a big change from the traditional input-based educational system where the technique is heavily didactic. OBE, on the other hand, requires students to validate their learnings through measurable output,” he explained.

Specifically, these outcomes involve the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering; to design and conduct experiments and to analyze and interpret data; to design a system to meet desired needs; to function on multidisciplinary teams; to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems; to be professionally and ethically responsible; to communicate effectively; to understand the impact of engineering solutions to the world and society; to engage in lifelong learning; to know contemporary issues; to use techniques, skills and modern tools for engineering; and to manage engineering projects as a member or leader in a team.

One of the rare opportunities where Mapua students are able to fulfill all these detailed output is by participating in “Shell Eco-marathon,” the annual smarter mobility competition of energy and gas technology leader Shell.

“Designing and building a fuel-efficient car is a concrete example of how Mapua attains its outcomes-based education,” said Belino of the friendly competition that brings together engineering students from around the world in developing new energy sources such as biofuels, compressed natural gas and gas-to-liquids (GTL), apart from conventional gasoline and diesel.

When Mapua joined Shell Eco-marathon Asia for the first time in Malaysia in 2010 — the same year the school commenced its OBE program — its team produced a car that ran 241 kilometers on a liter of fuel. The team also received a special Safety Award because of the unique safety features of their vehicle, as well as the way team members practiced safety in their work areas during the competition.

Mapua has been participating actively in Shell Eco-marathon Asia ever since, and has even won a Technical Innovation Award in 2013. It values the competition as an avenue for its engineering students not only to achieve excellence in their chosen field, but also in developing soft skills that are vital to OBE education.

“As team leaders, for instance, students exercise their skills in organization, communication and ethics,” explained Belino.

Student teams are also required to write thesis papers about their cars and conduct oral presentations to school officials, visitors and even sponsors who provide financial assistance in the creation of the vehicles. As such, students also learn how to prepare financial statements and report actual expenses and savings.

Mapua promises to make its presence felt in Shell Eco-marathon Asia even more, especially as the Philippines hosts the renowned regional event from 2014 to 2016.

“The school’s Team Cardinals is developing a car that aims to run at least 1,000 kilometers on a liter of fuel,” said team adviser and Mapua professor Sherwin Magon.

With OBE education placing young Filipino engineers on the road to world-class excellence, such goals are definitely reachable.