Mapúa MCM representatives Leopoldo D. Aquino, Jr., OCP Director & Dr. Melwin G. Mende, QAEO Director
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM), together with its sister schools Mapúa University and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna, marked another milestone in its pursuit of academic excellence and global recognition through its participation in the QS Higher Ed Summit: Asia Pacific 2025 held on November 4–6, 2025 at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea.
The three-day summit, themed “Advancing Generational Potential: Skills and Partnerships in the Asia Pacific,” brought together higher education leaders, policymakers, and scholars from across the region to discuss how institutions can nurture future-ready graduates and strengthen partnerships to meet the evolving demands of global education.
Representing Mapúa MCM were Dr. Melwin G. Mende, Director of the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Office (QAEO), and Mr. Leopoldo D. Aquino, Jr., Director of the Office for Corporate Partnerships (OCP). The delegation took part in discussions on cross-border collaboration, innovation in higher education, and the role of universities in promoting sustainable development and skills-based learning.
The QS Stars team awards a certificate of recognition to the Mapúa MCM delegation for achieving a 3-star rating. Leigh Kamolins, Director for Analytics & Evaluation, QS Quacquarelli Symonds; Leopoldo D. Aquino, Jr., OCP Director, Mapúa MCM; Dr. Melwin G. Mende, QAEO Director, Mapúa MCM; and Florence Webb, Head of Frameworks, QS Quacquarelli Symonds.
During the summit, QS officially recognized Mapúa MCM for earning a 3-Star Rating in its first-ever participation in the QS Stars Rating System—an impressive accomplishment achieved in less than a decade since its founding. The institution received strong ratings across multiple categories, reflecting its academic foundation and commitment to continuous improvement:
- Facilities – ★★★★★ (5 Stars)
- Employability – ★★★★★ (5 Stars)
- Good Governance – ★★★★☆ (4 Stars)
- Teaching – ★★★☆☆ (3 Stars)
- Academic Development – ★★★☆☆ (3 Stars)
- Social Impact – ★★☆☆☆ (2 Stars)
- Programme Strength (Multimedia Arts) – ★★☆☆☆ (2 Stars)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – ★★☆☆☆ (2 Stars)
Dr. Josephine D. German, International Rankings Management Office Director, Mapúa University; Leopoldo D. Aquino, Jr., OCP Director, Mapúa MCM; Dr. Melwin G. Mende, QAEO Director, Mapúa MCM; Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong, Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED); Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina, Vice President for External Relations, Linkages, Internationalization, and Transnational Education (ELITE), Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna; and Anna D. Binayug, International Rankings Specialist, Mapúa University.
The participation of Mapúa MCM and its sister institutions in this international summit reinforces their shared mission of fostering excellence, collaboration, and innovation. As part of the Mapúan education system, Mapúa MCM continues to champion globally competitive education and empower the next generation of learners to thrive in a rapidly evolving academic and professional landscape.