University of Makati

The University of Makati (UMak), formerly the Pamantasan ng Makati, is a city university in Makati City, Philippines. It is one of the best and known locally-funded university in the Philippines in terms of board examination (CPA, Teacher, Nurse etc.) passing percentage, employability of graduates, quality of education, and others.

UMak has earned the coveted ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2008 Certification from SGS Philippines, becoming the first local university in the country to be ISO-certified. UMak has successfully passed the Stage 2 Audit of the (ISO) 9001-2008 conducted on December 12–13, 2011

The University of Makati has seven colleges and two center: College of Business Administration, College of Computer Science, College of Arts, Sciences and Education, College of Technology Management, College of Governance and Public Policy, College of Allied Health Studies, College of Human Kenetics, and Center for Performing and Digital Arts and the Medical Informatics Development (MInD) Center.

Brief history

The University of Makati traces its roots from Makati Polytechnic Community College, which was founded in 1972. Due to the growing number of curricular offerings, its status was elevated in 1987 to that of a full-fledged college, and was then renamed Makati College. Three years later, it was merged with the former Fort Andres Bonifacio College on January 10, 1990. This event paved the way for the transformation of the college into a university.

By virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 433, the Pamantasan ng Makati became a chartered university on December 19, 1991 under the administration of Jejomar C. Binay. On August 27, 2002, City Ordinance 2002-111 was approved amending City Ordinance No. 99-443 revising the Pamantasan ng Makati Charter to change the official name of Pamantasan ng Makati to University of Makati.

Buildings and facilities

The University stands on a lot along in Makati, near Fort Bonifacio and facing the Pasig River. Athletic facilities include a Gymnasium and Stadium. The UMak Main Theater is known for its excellent facilities and is used by two theater organizations where members are pure students, alumni, faculty members and administration members of the university; the Collective Arts of Students and Thespians Incorporated or CAST Inc.(the university's resident theater and non-proprietor theater group) and the AGHAM Theater Company (the university's resident premier musical theater group). A new 12-storey Health and Physical Sciences Building was recently opened which consists of a Physical Fitness Gym at par with the best Fitness Gym in the country, basketball and volleyball Gym at the 12th Floor etc. The football field is also one of the venues of the United Football League.

University & student organizations/clubs/groups

• SSG (Supreme Student Government) is the official student representative body of UMak. As such, it represents the interests of the students within and outside the University. It exists to represent UMak students in affairs of the university, acting as the voice of students in the local, national, and international issues. As the highest student representative body in the university, the SSG is composed of members elected amongst the student body, mandated to organize and direct campaigns and activities to defend and promote student rights, and improve the students’ general welfare. Furthermore, it provides direct services to the student body.
• JPIA (Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants) UMak Chapter is an organization of students taking up BS Accountancy and BS Management Accounting. Students need least an average grade of 92% during high school in order to qualify as an Accounting major.
• UMak Computer Society (ComSoc) is the official student organization of all CCS students. It helps them live the CCS slogan and motto Inspire, Empower, Innovate! Advisers for A.Y. 2012-2013 is Prof. Ali A. Naim.
• JBAC (Junior Building Administrators' Club), learners of building/property management course are its participants. The course was created to supply substantially the growing needs of building/property administrators/managers in the country by the PABA (Philippine Association of Building Administrators) and packed with technical aspects. This student organization has been running since year 2000, it was gone to trial when it was dissolved in year 2009 due to poor management, but immediately brought back and re-founded the next year by Nico Castelo. The aim of the club is to benefit its members to gain skills by performing different kinds of activities that are essential and applicable in the workplace such as; (a) To develop acquaintance, friendship, coordination and cooperation among the members of the club, (b) To discuss mutual problems, share and exchange ideas with each year levels, (c) To disseminate information (d) To establish standards of practices and performances, teamwork and leadership to accomplish collective aims and purposes, and (e) To undertake a continuing educational training and professional development programs and seminars, forums, conferences, annual convention and exhibits in upgrading their management skills and other proper steps that will inure to the advantage of the membership.
• FJX (Funky Jazz Extreme): University of Makati's dance group competing in many dance competition such as Showtime, Crissa Teen Dance Synergy, Sketchers Street Dance Battle and more.
• JFINEX UMak Chapter is an organization of students taking up BS Finance.
• JMA UMak Chapter is an organization of students taking up BS Marketing.
• UMak Students News and Current Affairs (formerly The Makati Collegian) is the official student publication of UMak.
• UMak Chorale: the official chorale group of UMak.
• Film Society: The official organization of Broadcast Arts and Digital Arts students.
• KAMAO KO: the most famous and successful student political party in UMak.
• AGHAM (Angking Galing at Husay sa Arte at Musika) Theatre Company was founded in 1995. ATC is the Resident Musical Theatre Group of the University of Makati. Through the years, the group was able to expand its network of stage performers, painters, musicians, directors and art consultants in the world of academe and the professional world. Today, ATC is progressively building a niche in the world of theater arts. Central to its thrust is grass-root communities. It specializes in creating an all-Filipino and all original scripts, stage designs, costumes and musical scores. ATC has been consistent in advocating for protecting the environment and has been supporting projects of the City of Makati like “Drug Abuse Prevention” by Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Luzon Summit Earth Day Celebration and the “Tigil-Buga” Clean Air Makati sponsored by the Ayala Foundation and Department of Environment Services. In 2013, AGHAM Theatre Company will open the AGHAM Theatre Arts Center in Sta. Ana, Manila to the public and to service the community outside UMAK. The Center will hold series of events and workshops for both aspiring and well-known Filipino and foreign artists as part of their cultural development program. The Center will have its soft-opening on December 10, 2012 as they celebrate their 17th Founding Anniversary.
• C.A.S.T. Inc. (Collective Arts of Students and Thespians Inc.) the University of Makati's Resident Theater Group. CAST now is in the momentum of performing continuously to enlighten up the community of what's the real stand of our society to the world. Because of that, CAST rolled outside UMak to spread the messages of their original play. In line with that, CAST consistently join community awareness events and social welfare activities through their talents without any payment. The group was founded inMarch 11, 2005 with the purpose making theater and cultural work relevant to the community. ARTISTS includes visualartists, dance artists, literary artists, musicians and singers, filmenthusiasts and designers while THESPIANS are actors /performers coming from the various colleges and centers of the University ofMakati. Their mentors are teacher - artists, cultural workers, practitionersand supporters of culture and arts aiming to promote and popularize theater asa transformative tool for people empowerment. C.A.S.T. Inc. seeks to develop ahumane society by using art and culture as tools for people empowerment andparticipation in community building.  Itaims to mold student-artists-leaders-teachers (S.A.L.T.) through its involvement in various theater networks in the National Capital Region; namely:the National Committee on Dramatic Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Pangkultura sa Kamaynilaan at Karatig-pook Inc. ( Alyansa. Inc. ), the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Philippine Educational Theater Association ( P.E.T.A. ), they are also able to provide a venue for training and sharing among its members and network groups.These training are geared towards evolving and creating a form of expression uniquely Makateno and deeply rooted to the experiences of the community. Since,C.A.S.T. Inc. believes that all aspect of art is part and parcel of cultural work, members are trained to work collaboratively in various fields of specialization with their commitment to utilize their talents in the service of others. With this in mind, the organization vows to advocate community awareness through art and cultural work. Their presentations are not only focused on the creative and entertainment aspect but also on its being socially relevant and close to the experiences of the youth. These transformative theater experiences provide a perfect venue for a meaningful interaction and participation of the artists and their audience who are mostly young people. Aside from seasonal productions, one major and one minor productions a year, they are also regular participants and implementers of University - wide programs and activities.Their in-house training and workshops (S.T.E.P.) and their linkages with other artists, cultural workers and NCR network groups make it possible for them to participate in NCR - wide cultural festivals, competitions and conferences. A lot of their members are academic scholars who are also recognized in various fields of art - acting, directing, writing, designing etc. Since they belong toa public institution with limited or no budget allocation for culture and arts,they had become self-reliant and resourceful in seeking funds and resources elsewhere just to continue their commitment to produce highly artistic and socially relevant stage presentation. Their slogan "Keep surging. Realize your dreams!" has been their source of strength and inspiration in making their productions always better than the last one with the hope of helping to make a difference and realizing their dream of a"better" world.  The C.A.S.T. upholds Truth (Katotohanan), Botherhood (Kapatiran), Excellence (Kahusayan) and Service (Paglilingkod) as their Four Core Values. 
• KAFIL (Kapisanan sa Filipino) is an organization of students taking up Filipino majors. The mission of the organization is for the appreciation and to support the strong language policy in the university. They facilitated seminars with the help of their adviser, Rhenee Gonzales.
• SAMAHANG PUGADLAWIN is an organization of all Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies and other UMak students taking up Social Sciences courses. Simply known as SPL, this university-wide organization aims to encourage and develop students as catalysts of change through leadership trainings and community involvements. Furthermore, the organization provides seminars and symposium to enrich the knowledge of the students about Philippine history, economics, politics, sociology and anthropology. With these, the SPL enhances the sense of national pride and patriotism. SPL is also tied up with other non-government organizations in promoting social science education, cooperative learning systems, and team-building activities. The organization's adviser is Prof. Dorothy Garcia Nayra.

Colleges and centers

• College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
• College of Education (COE)
• College of Governance and Public Policy (CGPP)
• College of Allied Health Studies (COAHS)
• Center for Broadcast and Digital Arts (CEPDA)
• Center for Humanities and Performing Arts (CHPA)
• College of Technology Management (CTM)
• College of Business Administration (CBA)
• College of Computer Science (CCS)
• College of Human Kinetics (CHK)
• Medical Informatics Development Center (MInD Center)

Industry-Academe Partnerships

The UMak-Medical Informatics Development (MIND) Center program is the first and only industry-academe partnership program in the country for health informatics advocacy, training, implementation and research and development. This partnership gives access to the University's faculty, students and staff, latest technologies, innovations and knowledge-base in relation to health informatics applicable in the real world. This center anchors on UMak's vision of IT-enabled healthcare industry leading to efficient, safe, cost-effective and meaningful health services. The UMak-MInD Center is in collaboration with E-Health Records International Inc.

Philippines' 1st ISO Certified Local University

UMak has earned the coveted ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2008 Certification from SGS Philippines, becoming the first local university in the country to be ISO-certified. With its ISO certification, UMak becomes a veritable world-class institution of higher learning. UMak has successfully passed the Stage 2 Audit of the (ISO) 9001-2008 conducted on December 12–13, 2011. UMak passed the ISO certification criteria for the following processes: Admission, Registration, Release of Grades, and Issuance of Transcript of Records through the effort of the core process owners and their heads. In its audit report, SGS Philippines also noted as a best practice the university’s Quality Management System method of tracking the status of objectives, including monitoring and data analysis. Also incorporated in the UMAK certification were its support offices, including the Human Resource Development Office, General Services Office, Supply and Property Maintenance Office, and Information Technology Center.

UMak's Performance in Licensure Board Exams

Consistently, UMak's percentage of passers in the Licensure Board Exams (CPA, Nursing, Teachers, Master Electrician, etc.) is higher compared to the national passing rate.

UMak College of Nursing already produced four Nursing Board Topnotchers. Denise Claudia Mangiliman and Betty Chua Chung, both College of Nursing Batch 2007 graduates, placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the December 2007 Nursing Board.

UMak College of Business Administration created history last October 2010 as 25 Accounting students passed the CPA Licensure Exam, the highest quantity of CPA passer in the history of UMak in one board exam taking. Last May 2011 CPA Board Exam, 10 UMak students passed for an outstanding 50% passing rate. 19 students passed the October 2011 CPA Board Examination.

UMak in Guinness World Records

A 32,000-square-foot photo mosaic of Philippine Vice President Jejomar C. Binay was unveiled at the University of Makati Track Oval in 2010 as part of the university and Makati City attempt to enter into the Guinness World Records. UMAK and Makati City beat the record for largest photo mosaic of the current record holder, a 9,625-square-foot (894.2 m²) image created by the Big Picture project, which was unveiled in Birmingham, United Kingdom, August 23, 2008.

Sports in UMak

UMak is commonly known in the Philippine sporting world as Hardy Herons. The school's athletic program participates in the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU), one of the premier collegiate sport's league just behind UAAP and NCAA, and the Association of Local Colleges and Universities Olympics (Alculympics). UMak is the overall champion of the 2011 edition of Alculympics held in Calapan, Mindoro. UMak is also one of the founding member of the newest collegiate league in the country, the University, Colleges and Schools Athletic Association (UCSAA).

Among the famous line of world-class athletes of UMak are the following:

• Jasmin Figueroa is one of the best archers in Philippine history. She participated in the 2004 Athens Olympics. During the Olympics, she defeated former World Champion Natalia Valeeva of Italy. Jasmin was a South East Asian Games Gold Medalist.
• Edwin Asoro led University of Makati in the finals of NAASCU in 2002. The 6'4" Asoro was drafted by the Barako Bull during the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 2009 rookie draft. He was a part of the Philippine under-20 National Basketball Team that competed in the 2004 Asian Basketball Championship. Asoro displayed his skills at the wing and power forward positions during his stint with the Bulldogs in the UAAP and Harbour Centre and Oracle in the Philippine Basketball League.
• Rachelle Anne Cabral is a South East Asian Games Gold Medalist in archery.
• Ayssa Dalida is one of the best squash players in the Philippines. She participated in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Notable alumni

• Ramon Galicia, current municipal mayor of Alcantara, Romblon. Awarded last 2010 UMAK Grand Alumni Reunion as the most outstanding UMak alumni in the field of Public Service.
• Hector U. Santos Jr., CPA Awarded last 2010 UMAK Grand Alumni Reunion as the most outstanding UMak Alumni in the field of Finance and Management. Graduated Magna Cum Laude (2004 Valedictorian/top graduate) with the degree of BS Accountancy. Scholar of Vice President Jejomar C. Binay. Current finance head of MIASCOR, the no. 1 airport service provider in the Philippines.
• Rene Mostrales, head of the Government Electronics Surveillance System in Kuwait; graduate of the College of Technology Management, major in Electronics batch 1977.
• Arthur Ignacio, sheriff in Los Angeles County, California; graduated from the College of Local Government Management, major in Political Science batch 2000.
• Marlo Gile, a CPA reviewer in UMak and Internal Audit Head of SEA AIR Group of Companies. BS Accountancy graduate batch 2005.

See also

• Local college and university (Philippines)
• Association of Local Colleges and Universities
• Pamantasan
• Alculympics

External links

• University of Makati Website
• Medical Informatics Development Center Website
• E-Health Records International-Philippines Inc. Website

v t e National Capital Region - Local Government Universities and Colleges  Philippines Universities University of Caloocan City (UCC) University of Makati (UMak) City of Malabon University (CMU) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Universidad de Manila (UdM) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun) City University of Pasay (CUP) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig (PLP) Quezon City Polytechnic University (QCPU) Taguig City University (TCU) Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) Colleges Navotas Polytechnic College (NPC)