In a landmark move to address the escalating global climate emergency, Mapúa University has become the first academic institution in the Philippines to offer a Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering. The program aims to develop future leaders equipped to deliver science-driven, sustainable energy solutions.
Energy engineers play a pivotal role in combating environmental degradation, contributing to technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and geothermal power. By launching a dedicated undergraduate program, Mapúa is positioning itself at the forefront of the nation’s transition toward renewable energy and smart power systems.
The three-term academic track offers intensive training in clean energy technologies, energy storage optimization, and smart distribution systems. It is designed to produce experts who can address pressing global energy challenges with a deep commitment to sustainability.
For Felix L. Merin, a second-year student in the pioneering 2023 batch, the program is both personal and purposeful. “We must find a way to provide clean and cheaper energy to the community consistently,” said the 20-year-old Las Piñas native, who is currently pursuing research on transitioning the Philippines to a renewable-dependent energy system.
Merin also plans to launch a student organization to foster collaboration among energy engineering students and encourage innovation in the field. “Aspiring energy experts should be open-minded and develop empathy to truly become great climate solutionaries,” he said.
The demand for energy engineers in the Philippines is expected to rise significantly. A report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) projects that over 350,000 renewable energy jobs could be created by 2030 if current industry projects—led by private-sector players such as the Yuchengco Group of Companies, Ayala, and Lopez Group—are fully realized.
Mapúa’s initiative represents a critical step toward a greener, more sustainable future—educating the professionals who will power it.
