Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (MMCL), formerly known as Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL), is a private, research, and nonsectarian college wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mapúa University in Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines. Opened on June 18, 2006, the college was established by the Mapúa University in 2006 to expand its presence in Laguna, bringing its renowned engineering, maritime, and technological education to Southern Luzon.[4] A branch was also established in Davao in 2018, marking the official start of the institutions' operations in Mindanao.[5]
MMCL offers 9 accredited programs, including two enhanced through its collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU).[6] The institution's close proximity to the industrial hubs of Laguna provides students easy access to on-the-job training opportunities in prestigious companies in the country. MMCL achieved autonomous status in 2019, 13 years after its establishment, making it the youngest college in the country to attain this recognition.[7] It has had a string of successes over the years which include 100% passing rates in several licensure and certification examinations, and the exceptionally high employment rates of graduates – all of which have helped MMCL secure its ranking as the 3rd HEI (higher educational institution) in Calabarzon.[8]
History
MMCL campus from 2006, with Rizal Hall in the background
Initial years
In 1999, when the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), led by the esteemed Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco, took ownership of the Mapúa Institute of Technology (now Mapúa University), significant efforts were made to enhance the institution's academic programs and facilities.[9]
Through the years, new programs such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Material Science and Engineering, Biological Engineering, Psychology, Accountancy, and Hotel and Restaurant Management have been added to Mapúa's offering of Engineering and Architecture programs. In fulfillment of the long-term development plan of Mapúa, a six-hectare land was acquired for its expansion and presence in Laguna, which stands as one of CALABARZON's industrial and commercial hubs.
Groundwork started in late 2005, and on January 23, 2006, Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) acquired its corporate personality following its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The school began its operations with more than 860 freshmen students in its inaugural year.
In November 2006, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted approval to MCL to offer eight programs in the fields of Engineering, Information Technology, and Business. This came after MMCL successfully met the standards set by CHED's Regional Quality Assurance Team.[9]
Three (3) colleges were initially established under the Mapúa Institute of Technology at Laguna (MITL), the E.T. Yuchengco College of Business (ETYCB), and the College of Information Technology, which was later renamed as the College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS). The College of Arts and Science (CAS) and the Mapúa-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (Mapúa-PTC CMET) were eventually added, followed by the Institute for Excellence in Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (I-ExCELL).
In 2014, MCL received the seal of approval for its Maritime Programs from the Belgian Maritime Inspectorate (BMI).[10]
In 2015, MCL's engineering programs have been accredited by the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) through its Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology (ACBET).[10]
In 2016, MCL established and opened the MCL Senior High School, its response to the implementation of K-12 in basic education. To shelter the institution's growing community, the Albert Einstein Building was recently constructed, named after the scientist who, in his lifetime's work, exuded MCL's motto: Excellence and Virtue.[9]
In 2019, MCL was granted Autonomous Status through CHED Memorandum Order No. 12, Series of 2019.[7] It also became an official member of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities.[10]
Global collaborations and name rebrand
In 2023, MCL partnered with Arizona State University (ASU), recognized as America’s leading university for innovation, to enhance access for Filipino students to top-tier international education in the fields of business and health sciences through its College of Business and Health Sciences programs. The collaboration focuses on offering students a distinctive education that emphasizes strategies for success, such as global immersion, hands-on experiential learning, cutting-edge facilities, and digital proficiency. This initiative was made possible through the support of the Cintana Alliance, founded by Douglas Becker. Additionally, MCL has teamed up with the Business College of Athens to offer master’s degree programs in maritime education.[11]
In the same year, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved of the rebrand of Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) to Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (MMCL). This new name allows Mapúa MCL to fully embrace its roots and Mapúa heritage and gives students the opportunity to start their respective career paths immediately after graduation.[9]
In 2024, MMCL started to offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance Technology under the newly established Mapúa-Laguna Institute of Aviation (MIA).[12] College of Nursing (CN) was also built, as well as offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Medical Technology, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy in partnership with Arizona State University.[13]
Today, MMCL offers college programs catering to the fields of engineering, architecture, aviation, business, information technology, health sciences, nursing, multimedia arts, tourism management, and maritime education, along with two (2) fully online degree programs. Under MMCL Senior High School, four (4) strands are offered under the Academic and Technical-Vocational-Livelihood Tracks. Certification programs are also offered under the Institute of Excellence in Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning (I-ExCELL).
Future
To accommodate and create hands-on learning for students under the Mapúa-Laguna Institute of Aviation (MIA), MMCL has recently proposed the construction of a new facility named after Leonardo da Vinci. Construction is projected for completion by 2025.[14]
Academics
Undergraduate programs
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna offers 9 accredited undergraduate programs, namely Architecture, Arts and Science, Aviation, Business, Engineering, Nursing, Health Sciences, Computer and Information Science, and Maritime Education and Training; 2 of which are enchanced from MMCL's collaboration with ASU, and 1 graduate program. The institution operates on a trimester system, under its 14-week term with the usage of Mapúa MCL Flux learning approach.
Teaching
The institution's learning approach, known as MCL Flexible Learning Ubiquitous Experience (Mapúa MCL FLUX), blends face-to-face and online learning. Each class session and activity is available in-person, through live online sessions, and asynchronously online, allowing students to choose how they want to participate for each class or activity. This method provides students with three learning options: face-to-face, synchronous, and asynchronous sessions.[15]
Mapúa MCL FLUX allows Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (MMCL) to respond flexibly to public health challenges and disruption from natural calamities without sacrificing learning objectives. The students can be able to make the same progress toward their degree even if in-campus instruction is interrupted. Every class offered in MMCL will be in the Flux format, with students freely shifting from one mode to another whenever they prefer.
MMCL also operates the Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC), which is also based in Cabuyao, Laguna and has two learning hubs outside Laguna: one in Quezon City (Luzon Hub) and one in Bacolod City (VisMin Hub).
Over the years, Mapúa has achieved consistency on getting notable remarks on Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rating System, and World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). In 2024, MMCL in Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings acquired 1501+ ranking out of the 2,152 institutions evaluated. Having first earned an overall rating of 3 Stars from the UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Star Rating System in 2020, it once again earned 3 QS Stars along with 5 QS stars in the Employability, Online Learning, and Social Responsibility in 2024.[20]
In 2022, MMCL has been recognized as CALABARZON's first school to receive ISO 21001:2018 – EOMS certification.[10] This certification confirms that MMCL's Educational Organizations Management System, which incorporates its program offerings, complies with the latest ISO 21001:2018 standards, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to prioritizing students' best interests.
Additionally, students from MMCL's B.S. Architecture program became the first in Southeast Asia to be accredited as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associates by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), with MMCL being the country's first and only current USGBC Gold Member.[21]
The College of Arts and Science (CAS) is one of the five-degree-granting units of MMCL. The CAS, as the intellectual core of any academic institution, lay down the foundations of a well-balanced education in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics and the natural sciences.
In 2009, the College of Arts and Science started the Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Major in Multimedia Arts – MCL's first liberal arts program and the first of its kind in the country.[citation needed] The program is a fusion of the study of varied communication structures and contexts, and its application to the utilization of new media technologies, or the electronic media.
In 2018, the College of Arts and Sciences introduced Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with three tracks to choose from: political communication; creative and performing arts; and new media.
In 2020, the said college paved the way to commence a new program, Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
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