Altair, a global leader in computational science and artificial intelligence (AI), has entered a strategic collaboration with Mapúa University, a pillar of academic excellence in the Philippines. The collaboration will strengthen the Altair Global Academic Program and advance its digital transformation and research initiatives. In addition, Altair’s RapidMiner will transform the educational landscape of Mapúa University and its subsidiaries, the Mapua Malayan Colleges in Mindanao and Laguna.
“At Altair, we believe in the power of academia to drive societal transformation through technology. It’s our firm belief that our work together will upskill engineers and foster academic excellence, innovation, and industry collaboration, resulting in top-tier professionals filling the global skill gap,” said Srirangam Srirangarajan, managing director for the ASEAN and ANZ regions, Altair. “Using technologies like digital twin, AI, machine learning, physics simulations, high-performance computing (HPC), data science, and more from our portfolio will propel Mapúa University regionally and globally.”
By joining forces with Altair to establish a Center of Excellence (CoE), Mapúa University becomes the first university in the Philippines to have a private, managed cloud infrastructure. This fosters experiential and research-based learning with best-in-class software and compute infrastructure, complemented by industry-ready tutorials and workshops conducted by industry and technology experts. The CoE certification program offers a competitive advantage for placements and virtual internships, preparing students for student competitions, research publications, and the development of new vocational courses and curricula.
“Mapúa University, a global education leader, provides graduates with digital skills and the ability to master the ever-changing landscape of artificial intelligence. We use innovation to build the university of the future, preparing students for a world transformed by intelligent technologies,” said Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, president and CEO of Mapúa University.
Mapúa University, with its rich 99-year legacy, is known as one of the world’s best universities and has consistently held a leading position in the Philippines. Boasting a four-star rating for excellence by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS Ranking), the institution is deeply committed to research, innovation, and globally recognized undergraduate programs.
In a highly competitive education industry, Mapúa University aspires to achieve global visibility, enhance value for aspiring students, and provide a competitive edge within its curricula. The institution aims to attract high-quality teaching staff, improve QS rankings, and entice more students. The goal is to establish a state-of-the-art technology sandbox, fostering product/solution design simulation, industrial collaborative projects, and incubation projects.
Altair’s Global Academic Program aligns seamlessly with Mapúa University’s aspirations, offering support for curriculum development, student competitions, research publications, and event presentations. The program includes innovative licensing and best-in-class self and tutor-led training content on contemporary subjects such as mechatronics, model-based simulation, data analytics with AI and machine learning, and more, providing a differentiated learning experience for both students and trainers.
Collaboration Genesis:
The collaboration between Mapúa University and Altair was initiated during the Dean’s convention at Mindanao in 2023. Altair’s team engaged with president Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, presenting a comprehensive overview of Altair’s solutions and competencies in Digital Transformation and Digital Twin technology. The focus was on providing an edge and value differentiator for students across the university and its subsidiaries.
President Dodjie, a visionary in generative AI, expressed a strong desire to modernize curricula, offering a differentiated learning experience to students and research scholars. Dean Ariel Kelly Balan, Dean for the School of Information Technology, further solidified the collaboration by successfully implementing Rapid Miner AI & ML-driven Data Science and Analytics solutions in the Makati campus for non-engineering courses.