by: Jerome Paunan
MANILA, (PIA) — The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) marks a significant milestone in 2024, celebrating 120 years of dedication to providing quality and accessible public higher education.
The anniversary kicks off the month of October with a flag-raising ceremony, a Thanksgiving Mass, and a Cultural Day on October 1.
PUP has played a vital role in social and economic development, equipping students to contribute meaningfully to national progress. “This centennial celebration reflects the enduring power and resilience of PUP,” the university said in a release.
With campuses across Luzon and a new location in the Visayas, PUP offers a diverse array of degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Its Open University System (PUP OUS), known as Pamantasan ng Bayan, provides second-chance learning opportunities, while the Institute of Technology (ITech) focuses on diploma courses and ladderized programs to enhance employability.
In response to the challenges posed by the pandemic, PUP launched the Education on Wheels (EOW) project in 2020, converting a bus into a mobile classroom for out-of-school youth and single mothers.
The initiative, which began in Smokey Mountain, Tondo, Manila, expanded in 2024 to include sites in Barangays Payatas and Tatalon, each serving 35 learners.
Additionally, PUP has initiated classes in Marketing Management for persons deprived of liberty at the Manila City Jail, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive education.
PUP has made significant strides to ensure affordability, charging students just P12 per unit. This nominal fee allows students from lower-income backgrounds to pursue their education, recognizing that a diploma serves as a pathway to upward mobility.
The university’s Enrolment-to-Employment (E2E) Framework emphasizes inclusive education, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills to meet industry demands.
PUP collaborates with various industry partners to enhance internship programs and career placement opportunities.
PUPians are recognized as key contributors to the Philippine economy, with alumni thriving in sectors such as Business, Office Administration, Computing, Architecture, and Education.
Over the past four years, PUP has produced 82 topnotchers in various licensure examinations, consistently surpassing national average passing rates.
On the international stage, PUP has made notable progress under the leadership of President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi. In 2023, the university received a three-star rating from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) for its Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics.
It also entered the World University Rankings for Innovation and the Times Higher Education rankings, showcasing its commitment to impactful education and research.
PUP’s Education on Wheels project has been recognized in the 2023 QS Reimagine Education Awards, shortlisted for the Access, Diversity & Inclusion Award among 1,200 submissions.
As PUP looks to the future, it remains committed to its mission of providing lifelong learning opportunities, fostering inclusive communities, and promoting social justice in education.
The university aims to set new benchmarks in educational quality and relevance, transforming the lives of Filipinos both locally and abroad. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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