IN A bold move toward regional development and educational equity, the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) has launched three new graduate engineering programs aimed at addressing the Stem talent gap in Mindanao.
The initiative will give local professionals and students access to high-quality, advanced education without needing to leave the island.
Formally launched on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Pinnacle Hotel and Suites in Davao City, the new programs — Master of Science in Civil Engineering, Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, and Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering — will be offered starting Academic Year 2025–2026. The courses are being implemented through a landmark partnership with the UP Diliman College of Engineering.
To support accessibility and flexibility, the programs will be delivered in a HyFlex format, combining real-time online instruction with occasional in-person sessions—ideal for working professionals and students from across Mindanao.
“This is an opportunity for students in the Mindanao region to pursue their graduate studies without having to move to Manila or other parts of the country,” said UP President lawyer Angelo A. Jimenez. “This initiative is aligned with UP’s mission of making quality UP education more accessible to lifelong Filipino learners, whatever their circumstances.”
The expansion underscores a commitment to addressing long-standing inequalities in access to higher education. Although Mindanao has a large population and growing economic potential, only 12 percent of the country’s engineering students are based in the region, according to the Commission on Higher Education (Ched).
Meanwhile, the Philippines faces a looming shortage of STEM professionals, with engineers projected to account for the largest deficit—estimated at nearly 570,000 by 2025.
UPMin Chancellor Dr. Lyre Anni E. Murao emphasized that the new programs are more than academic offerings—they represent a strategic response to national challenges.
“UP Mindanao is uniquely positioned to help close this gap,” she said. “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.”
These graduate programs also align with national and regional goals such as infrastructure development, climate resilience, and sustainable industrialization.
As Mindanao’s industries expand, Murao said the demand is growing for engineers trained not only in traditional fields but also in emerging sectors like renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and sustainable systems.
Murao also highlighted education’s transformative role in underserved communities. Fresh from a week-long visit to Sulu, where UP is exploring partnerships with the local government and Mindanao State University, she reflected on the importance of inclusive development.
"We were welcomed with generous hospitality and unforgettable food. But beyond the warmth, we encountered deeply compelling conversations—conversations that were, at times, unsettling. They revealed the urgent and unmet needs of the province, and the pressing call for inclusive development,” she said.
“Sulu is just one among many places in Mindanao that reflect both the challenges and the tremendous potential for transformation,” she continued. “When you travel across the region and truly listen to its people, you’ll witness this potential firsthand—communities striving for progress, often while still grappling with fundamental needs like access to clean water, reliable electricity, safe transportation, and adequate sanitation.”
For Murao, the solution lies in empowering Mindanaoans through education. The launch of the engineering programs also served as a platform to reinforce the ‘One UP’ approach, which promotes collaboration and resource-sharing across the entire UP system.
“True development happens when individuals and communities are equipped with the knowledge, skills, values, and confidence to shape their futures. That is how we build not only a stronger Mindanao, but a more just, sustainable, and resilient Philippines.”
As UP Mindanao continues to build academic bridges with other UP campuses and regional institutions, Murao said these new engineering programs mark a long-overdue shift, recognizing Mindanao not as a periphery but as a vital force in the country’s future. DEF