Mapúa debuts first digital classrooms in the Philippines

Article by: Alexandra Isabelle G. Delavin

Photo by: Luis Iñigo A. Lava

With the aim to further its agenda towards enhancing digital education, Mapúa University (MU), in collaboration with Cisco under the Country Digital Acceleration program UGNAYAN 2030, is now one step closer towards its vision as it held the official launch of Mapúa Digital Classrooms at the Audio-Visual Room 2 of the Intramuros Campus last July 18.

As the new school year approaches, MU has made significant changes that point towards the betterment of education for its students. Among them is the establishment of digital classrooms which will be a part of the trimestral curriculum.

In an interview with The New Builder, Engr. Ericson D. Dimaunahan, the Director for Operations, Technology, and Analytics, recalled that the project’s inspiration was drawn during the start of MU’s implementation of Tri-X or Hyflex system, wherein students were given the choice to decide their learning modality. Sharing the same vision, MU’s partnership with Cisco focuses on delivering boundless opportunities for Mapúans. “We designed the classroom technology to perfectly meet the needs of Mapúa students.”

According to Engr. Dimaunahan, the digital classrooms will not be limited to events but will also be used for lectures, plenary sessions, and student organizations. Some of the features of the technology include WebEx Board Pro, a collaborative tool for web conferencing, along with high-definition and high-resolution screens, high-quality microphone, and an auto-tracking camera that follows the speaker – all of which aim to cater to the needs of students attending face-to-face or online.

Being the first Digital University in the country, MU has also taken another step towards globalization as this initiative allows it to invite speakers and experts worldwide to conduct master classes or webinars. “Our online setup empowers Mapúans to learn from people around the world,” the Director for Operations, Technology, and Analytics stated. "Students aren't confined to a physical classroom; they can seamlessly interact with online participants. Our technology ensures everyone feels like they're in the same room, fostering a truly inclusive learning environment.”

Currently, MU has five digital classrooms. Three of them are at the Intramuros Campus, available for courses on Architecture, Engineering, Liberal Arts, and Athletics. Meanwhile, two are designated for the Makati branch, which offers Information Technology, Media Studies, Business, Health Sciences, and Nursing.

As MU launches itself to the digital world, Engr. Dimaunahan assures that there are more innovations to be expected. “This is just the beginning of not just pioneering the first digital classrooms in the Philippines. Eventually, moving forward, we’ll expect more of the innovations brought in the campus.”