An exciting partnership was unveiled last 06 June 2023 as Mapua University proudly announced its collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) to establish the School for Health Sciences. The event also served as an opportunity to declare Mapúa University’s strategic alliance with AC Health, a prominent healthcare organization under the Ayala Group.
By establishing the School for Health Sciences, Mapúa University affirms its dedication to delivering an exceptional education that empowers graduates to excel in their respective disciplines and make meaningful contributions to society.
Dr. Reynaldo Vea, President of Mapúa University, emphasized the importance of education in nation-building by saying, “Education is part of nation-building: we prepare the next generation to do better and bigger things and create impact. By venturing into Health Sciences, we hope to significantly contribute to the development of the Philippine health sector, both in clinical practice and research.”
Mapúa University has invested in state-of-the-art simulation tools and integrated training to develop practice-ready healthcare graduates. Mapúa will also have clinical simulation laboratories with high-fidelity mannequins, robotics, virtual dissection tables, body projections, and “standardized patients” who are patient actors.
“Health has a huge impact on quality of life and economic growth. Even from the perspective of personal impact on a family, the average Filipino is just one catastrophic disease away from poverty. Our goal is to make healthcare more accessible and give our graduates the skills and mindset for a more global and digital healthcare industry,” said Dr. Malaya Santos, Mapúa’s Dean of the School of Health Sciences. Before joining the university, Dr. Santos dedicated much of her career to public health and research.
For clinical rotations and internships, Mapúa has partnered with Mandaluyong City Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Ospital ng Makati, and St. Clare Medical Center. The new partnership with AC Health will also allow Mapúa’s students to train in Healthway Medical Network — AC Health’s clinics and hospitals group consisting of twelve (12) outpatient centers, four (04) general hospitals, and the soon-to-open Healthway Cancer Care Hospital, the first of its kind in the country.
Through the implementation of integrated teaching simulation models, Mapúa University offers students the opportunity to engage in realistic hospital, outpatient, and community scenarios. This innovative approach enables students to cultivate confidence and gain valuable experience even before their initial encounters with real patients. By utilizing multi-functional laboratories and simulation spaces, students across various courses are encouraged to interact meaningfully and collaborate effectively, fostering a conducive environment for shared learning and cooperation.
Partnership with AC Health
During the event, Mapúa University further disclosed its collaboration with AC Health, specifically through its esteemed Healthway Medical Network (HMN) comprising hospitals and clinics. By harnessing the extensive reach of HMN’s integrated network across the country, Mapúa School of Health Sciences is empowered to offer enriched experiential learning avenues to its students. These opportunities encompass clinical rotations, internships, and immersive strategies designed for active learning. In addition, AC Health’s partnership involves providing scholarships and facilitating career exploration for students within the various Healthway QualiMed hospitals and Healthway Multispecialty Centers immediately following graduation.
Through the implementation of the Global Classroom initiative, students at Mapúa University have the opportunity to engage in cross-cultural learning experiences. This unique platform facilitates classes taught by professors from Arizona State University and other esteemed institutions within the ASU-Cintana Alliance. Students can also partake in internships, international exchange programs, and research projects, broadening their global perspectives.
Collaborating with professors and classmates from diverse backgrounds equips students with essential soft skills required in a global workplace. Effective communication, collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to lead and manage teams across borders are emphasized and nurtured.
Mapúa University’s Health Sciences degree programs, located at the Makati campus, include a range of disciplines such as BS Biology, BS Psychology, BS Medical Technology, AB Psychology, and pending approval from CHED, BS Nursing. Furthermore, there are plans underway to introduce additional programs in nursing, medicine, and other health professions in the near future, further expanding the university’s offerings in the field of healthcare education.