MARKING its 80th year, FEATI University’s leadership is looking to the future while remaining firmly anchored on the vision of its founders, Salvador and Doña Victoria Lopez-Araneta.
In an exclusive interview with BusinessMirror, university president Dr. Susan Gallardo said the institution’s next phase will focus on preserving its legacy as a technology- and engineering-oriented university while strengthening the quality of education, research, industry partnerships and its graduates’ competitiveness.
‘When I took over, I already mentioned my vision for FEATI University,’ she said. ‘We would like to keep the legacy of the founders.’
A key part of that effort is improving the university’s faculty. FEATI has begun a series of faculty development programs, including training on outcomes-based education as the university prepares for accreditation.
Dr. Gallardo said the university is also encouraging faculty members to pursue doctoral degrees, attend conferences, and publish research in reputable journals. The goal is not only to improve teaching but also to create a stronger research culture.
Academic Affairs vice president Dr. Evelyn Creencia said the university is reviving research collaborations through the University Belt Consortium, including projects involving the rehabilitation of the Pasig River and its tributaries.
‘Previous initiatives focused on monitoring the health of esteros and creeks, while future projects could explore proven technologies for water rehabilitation and waste management,’ said Dr. Creencia.
She said FEATI also plans to make its research center more active and establish an in-house science and technology journal. A research forum in December will allow faculty members to present their work and gain confidence in sharing their research.
According to Dr. Gallardo, the university hopes these activities will eventually lead to more collaborative research and funding applications from the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Science and Technology.
Raising academic, industry standards
ANOTHER priority is boosting student performance in professional licensure exams.
Dr. Gallardo shared that FEATI is looking at integrating board examination preparation into the curriculum, particularly during students’ final year. The objective is to ensure that students are adequately prepared before graduation.
Dr. Creencia said the university is also strengthening its links with industry and alumni. Industry practitioners and alumni working in relevant sectors are being brought into curriculum reviews to ensure that programs reflect the skills employers need.
Laboratory facilities are likewise being upgraded, particularly for specialized programs such as railway engineering, according to Dr. Gallardo.
FEATI is seeking government recognition for its railway engineering program, which Dr. Gallardo said could eventually make the university the first institution in the country to offer an engineering degree specifically focused on railways, distinct from railway technology programs.
Engr. Eulalio Creencia, the university’s director for development, compliance and accreditation services, said the university has also established partnerships with Japanese railway institutions. A train from Metro Tokyo has been brought to the FEATI campus for learning purposes, while faculty members and students have received training in Japan.
‘We would be applying for three ISO categories: ISO 9100 [for quality management], ISO 21001 [for educational organization management], and ISO 2727001 [for information systems],’ said Engr. Creencia.
As the Philippines expands its railway infrastructure, Dr. Gallardo said FEATI sees a pathway to develop engineers supportive of the country’s future rail systems.
‘Beyond railways, the university is strengthening programs in aircraft maintenance, aerospace, marine engineering and marine transportation,’ according to Dr. Gallardo.
‘It is also exploring naval architecture, mechatronics, robotics, artificial intelligence and data analytics,’ said Engr. Creencia.
Digital, globally competitive
FEATI is preparing an artificial intelligence policy as it trains faculty members to use AI tools. The university is also developing proposed programs in artificial intelligence and data analytics.
Engr. Creencia said the university is looking at the intersection of robotics, electronics, electrical engineering, and mechatronics. For him, these initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that their graduates are globally competitive and employable both in the Philippines and overseas.
The university’s director said they are simultaneously preparing for several accreditation and certification initiatives. These include Philippine university accreditation, ISO certifications, and international engineering accreditation under the Washington Accord framework.
‘These would improve our students’ employability,’ Dr. Gallardo said. She noted that international standards can help demonstrate that FEATI’s graduates are prepared to compete with their counterparts abroad.
Rebuilding the FEATI brand
WHILE academic modernization is central to the university’s plans, FEATI also recognizes the need to rebuild public awareness of the institution.
Dr. Gallardo acknowledged that some people have mistakenly assumed that FEATI was no longer operating. To address this, the university established a marketing, communications, and branding office and has begun strengthening its digital presence.
The university plans to revive its publications and increase its social media activities while producing more news and newsletters about its programs, faculty, and achievements.
‘The goal is to restore [our university]’s identity as a leading institution for engineering, technology and innovation,’ she said. ‘After 80 years, [we’re] still here.’
The FEATI president underscored the university’s determination to regain the visibility it once enjoyed.
For her, however, the institution’s renewal goes beyond facilities, programs, and branding. FEATI also wants to develop graduates who are academically capable, professionally prepared, and committed to nation-building.
She said the university’s values education and character formation programs are intended to develop students as ‘whole persons,’ instilling not only technical competence but also patriotism and a desire to contribute to the Philippines.
The university’s leadership is therefore framing its next chapter around a simple premise: one FEATI, one direction.
Rather than expanding into provincial campuses, Dr. Gallardo said the priority is to revitalize the main campus and strengthen its academic foundation.
‘The long-term goal is to bring FEATI back to where it once stood while preparing it for the demands of a rapidly changing global economy,’ said the university president. ‘We hope to continue the legacy of the pioneers: to…give quality education in all its entirety and be involved in nation-building.’