Mapúa Education Group (MEG) has teamed up with Arizona State University (ASU) in announcing its first comprehensive international collaboration in Philippine tertiary education. The historic alliance between one of the Philippines’ premier engineering and academic institutions with a globally renowned powerhouse like ASU sets a new benchmark for cross-border university collaboration in the region.
Initially focused on business and health sciences, the expanded collaboration now becomes the first and only comprehensive academic partnership between a leading Philippine education group—the Mapúa Education Group—and a top-ranked global university, Arizona State University, ranked #1 in the U.S. for innovation1, and #1 in the U.S. and top 10 worldwide for global impact in research, outreach and stewardship2.
With the academic partnership’s shift to a comprehensive collaboration, all Mapúa students—across all undergraduate and graduate programs in all Mapúa schools (Mapúa University, Mapúa Malayan College Laguna, Mapúa Malayan College Mindanao, and Mapúa Malayan Digital College)—will now have access to world-class global education through: high-quality courses enhanced by instructional content from ASU’s vast repository of top-ranked academic programs; extensive international student experience opportunities with ASU and its rapidly growing ASU-Cintana Alliance, which currently includes 35 of forward looking and innovative universities worldwide; and numerous cost-effective pathway options leading to international degrees, delivered both onsite and online.
A Partnership of Globally Ranked Leaders
Mapúa University is ranked #1 in the Philippines in Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences, and is in the Top 6% of global universities according to Times Higher Education.Together, the Mapúa Schools and Arizona State University combine academic excellence, innovation, and global reputation—setting a new benchmark for collaboration in Philippine higher education
A Fully Integrated, Student-Centric Global Journey
The expanded partnership transforms the learner experience across multiple dimensions such as world-class content integration whereASU’s globally benchmarked academic content and innovation frameworks are embedded across Mapúa’s undergraduate and post-graduate programs. This strengthens academic rigor, ensures curriculum relevance to emerging industries, and advances digital and AI-enabled pedagogy across disciplines.
It also includes global learning pathways. Through this,students gain structured progression pathways to ASU programs, including dual degree, accelerated master’s options, and mobility opportunities through Arizona State University. These pathways expand global exposure while maintaining local accessibility.
The collaboration also covers innovation and AI integration. Artificial intelligence is extensively integrated across curricula, leveraging ASU’s AI frameworks, best practices, and pilot programs in digital learning and innovation. Through knowledge exchange and shared innovation models, Mapúa strengthens its AI-enabled pedagogy and prepares students for industries being reshaped by emerging technologies.
In addition, the agreement is inclusive of faculty, research, and industry collaboration.Multi-disciplinary faculty and student exchange deepen teaching excellence and research capability. Joint research initiatives and collaboration through ASU and the ASU-Cintana network accelerate research output and industry-relevant innovation, strengthening Mapúa’s contribution to national development.
Advancing Inclusive Growth and Impact
The partnership expands access to globally benchmarked education across diverse learner segments.Mapúa offers accessible, hybrid, and fully online degree pathways, as well as programs tailored for working professionals and lifelong learners. The integration spans multiple disciplines across the Mapúa Education Group.
Key impact initiatives include: establishment of a Green College, benchmarking against ASU’s Rob Walton College of Global Futures School of Sustainability; accelerated research collaboration and global knowledge exchange; andgreater student engagement in addressing sustainability, technology, and societal challenges.
A New Chapter in Globalizing Philippine Education
“The partnership will enable us to innovate across our existing colleges through new programs designed with global benchmarking, contemporary relevance, and strong employability outcomes leveraging ASU’s expertise and resources. This pillar ensures we continuously refresh our portfolio of offerings in response to emerging sectors and national priorities. So when you bring these pillars together, the impact is clear. For students—higher degree value, stronger employability, and extensive global mobility options. For industries—a stronger talent pipeline, and deeper research and development collaboration. And for the Philippines— global benchmarking that supports sustainable growth,” said Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, President of Mapua University.
Rick Shangraw, President of Cintana Education, expressed optimism for the expanded collaboration.
“ASU partners with leading institutions worldwide to embed high quality academic content, digital innovation and global pathways into local systems, strengthening institutions rather than replacing them. Today, the Cintana Alliance includes 35 innovative universities around the globe and in multiple continents—and Mapua, in my opinion, is among the most distinguished partners in this network,” Shangraw stated.
“ASU’s charter compels ASU to partner globally to expand access without compromising quality and to co-create educational models that are locally anchored and globally benchmarked. In many ways, this philosophy mirrors what we see in Mapua’s strategic vision. Together, we reimagine education as borderless. The partnership expands opportunities for students to get access to a globally competitive education, access to international progression pathways, exposure to world-class faculty, enhanced employability, and a rapidly changing economy,” he continued.
The Mapúa–ASU partnership signals a meaningful evolution in how Philippine education institutions collaborate internationally—moving beyond traditional exchanges toward deeper academic integration and sustained impact.
Mapúa Education Group’s Mapúa University is the flagship university of iPeople, Inc. – the education joint venture between majority owner House of Investments (the listed holding company of the Yuchengco Group of Companies) and Ayala Corporation. The two conglomerates share an empowering common goal to make world-class education accessible to as many Filipino students as possible.
1 U.S. News & World Report, 11 years, 2016-2026
2 Times Higher Education, 6 years, 2020-25
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