First Mountain Eng’g degree offered in CAR

Here’s another "first" in the Philippines.

A Master of Science in Mountain Engineering (MSMtE) degree program has been instituted by a consortium of three tertiary institutions in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) along this line has been signed by the Benguet State University (BSU) in La Trinidad, Benguet; and the Saint Louis University (SLU) and Baguio Colleges Foundation (BCF), both in Baguio City.

Signatories of the MOA were Dr. Cipriano Consolacion, BSU president; Fr. Paul Van Parijs, SLU president; and Dr. Ricardo Pama, BCF president.

Witnesses were Dr. Marcos Buliyat, Dr. Cleofas Basaen, Jose Maria Pangilinan, vice president for academic affairs of BSU, BCF and SLU, respectively; and Dr. Joseph de los Santos, representative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-CAR.

Started in the first semester of school year 2002-2003, the 45-unit MSMtE program aims to train and develop a pool of highly trained and globally competitive engineers to help boost the mountain engineering field, ensure the preservation of the environment and improve the people’s environmental consciousness.

According to the three institutions, the country, specifically the Cordilleras, must have a pool of highly trained and qualified engineers to enhance the national economy in general, and to ensure the preservation of nature.

In particular, the program addresses the needs of the mountain ranges, water and watershed management, soil mechanics and infrastructure.

The CAR is known for its mountainous areas, requiring a massive campaign for maintenance and development.

"This being the case, the MSMtE program is deemed very appropriate and relevant," the three schools said.

At present, the BCF has a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, while SLU offers a masteral Engineering program with Civil Engineering as one of the disciplines integrated in it. BSU, for its part, offers Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, BS in Forestry and MS in Forestry.

The BCF and SLU have an existing consortium offering MS in Civil Engineering.