University of Makati

History

The University of Makati was founded in 1972 as the Makati Polytechnic Community College, also known as MPCC, through Municipal Resolution No. 242 Ordinance No. 64. MPCC offered technical and vocational programs in industrial and business technology. In 1987, MPCC was renamed Makati College.

The Philippine Army turned over the Fort Andres Bonifacio College to the then Municipal Government of Makati and merged with Makati College in 1990. In 1991, Makati College was renamed Pamantasan ng Makati by virtue of Municipal Order No. 433. To be more globally recognized, Pamantasan ng Makati changed its name to University of Makati or UMak in 2002 through City Ordinance 2002–111, paving the way for education innovation in the City of Makati.

By virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 433, the Pamantasan ng Makati became a chartered university on December 19, 1991, under the administration of Jejomar Binay. On August 27, 2002, City Ordinance 2002-111 was approved, amending City Ordinance No. 99-126, revising the Pamantasan ng Makati Charter to change the official name of Pamantasan ng Makati to University of Makati.

Makati–Taguig territorial dispute

Main article: Makati–Taguig boundary dispute

It is currently administered and operated by Makati, however, the ownership of its land and buildings are currently disputed between the cities of Makati and Taguig following the resolution of the Makati–Taguig territorial dispute, which was decided in favor of Taguig. The Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that Makati should stop exercising jurisdiction over West Rembo, where the university is located, effectively placing it in Taguig. Despite the ruling, operations of the university are still under the Makati city government, as affirmed by the University President of UMak in August 2023.

The 14 public elementary and high schools in the Embo barangays were handed over from Schools Division Office of Makati to the Schools Division Office of Taguig City and Pateros starting January 1, 2024. Makati Mayor Abby Binay appealed to the Department of Education (DepEd) that the city can keep the Makati Science High School, Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, and Fort Bonifacio High School, the latter two of which are contiguous properties with the university. The Fort Bonifacio Elementary and High Schools are planned to be integrated with UMak as its laboratory schools. However, Makati's request was denied by DepEd, stating that it lacks in legal basis and justification. DepEd Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo cited that granting the request would violate the Supreme Court ruling, the Constitution, and the Basic Education Act of 2001, which mandates that basic education governance is a responsibility of the national government.

Buildings and facilities

The university is located at J.P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Taguig, in front of the Taguig People's Park and the Pasig River. It also near the former Makati Aqua Sports Arena which was formerly utilized by the university for students taking swimming-related subjects.

Prof. Diosdado J. Macapagal, a professor from College of Technology Management proposed the scale model of Pamantasan ng Makati based on original blueprint plan of Makati Engineering Office. The scale model was commissioned by then Makati College President Dr. Anita Bustillo to be given as a birthday gift to then - Mayor Jejomar C. Binay on November 11, 1992.

UMak facilities include academic buildings 1, 2, and 3, administrative building, Health and Physical Science Building (HPSB), and Stadium.

Academics

UMak was one of the first universities in the Philippines to pilot the Senior High School Modelling Program of the Department of Education, in 2012. In April 2022, the School of Law's nine pioneering batch from its graduating class achieve 100% Philippine Bar Examination passing rate.

Senior High School

• Higher School ng UMak (HSU) (A University of Makati Laboratory School. Part of College of Innovative Teacher Education)

Institutes

• Institute of Pharmacy (IOP)
• Institute of Nursing (ION)
• Institute of Imaging and Health Sciences (IIHS)
• Institute of Accountancy (IOA)
• Institute of Technical Education and Skills Training (ITEST) (formerly Makati Technical and Placement Consortia (MTPLC))
• Institute of Social Development and Nation Building (ISDNB)
• Institute of Arts and Design (IAD) (formerly College of Arts and Letters (CAL), College of Broadcasting and Digital Arts (CBDA), College of Performing and Digital Arts (CEPDA))
• Institute of Psychology (IOPsy) (formerly College of Science (COS), College of Science and Education (CASE))
• Institute of Social Work (ISW)
• Institute of Disaster and Emergency Management (IDEM)

Colleges

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (formerly part of College of Sciences (COS) and a merger of College of Arts and Letters (CAL))
• College of Business and Financial Science (CBFS) (formerly College of Business Administration)
• College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) (formerly College of Computer Science)
• College of Continuing, Advanced and Professional Studies (CCAPS) (formerly School of Continuing Professional Education / College of Work-based Learning)
• College of Innovative Teacher Education (CITE) (formerly College of Education)
• College of Construction Sciences and Engineering (CCSE)
• College of Engineering Technology (CET) (Formerly College of Technology Management)
• College of Governance and Public Policy (CGPP)
• College of Maritime Leadership Innovation (CMLI) (Now Defunct)
• College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM)
• Center of Human Kinesthetics (CHK)
• School of Law (SOL)

University rankings

• University of Makati got 101-200 spot on World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2023
• University of Makati placed 209th on World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024
• University of Makati's Website "umak.edu.ph" placed 151st spot out of 664 university websites ranked by Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities publish by the Cybermetrics Lab, a research group of the Spanish National Research Council - July 2024
• University of Makati recognized by Times Higher Education 2025 Impact Rankings based on its progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Notable alumni

Governance

• Manny Pacquiao — Eight-division World Boxing Champion, former senator and House of Representatives member for Sarangani. Finished Bachelor of Arts in political science, major in local government administration (Executive Program, 2020).
• Arnell Ignacio — Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Executive Director, host, and actor. Finished Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, major in Local Government Administration (2019).
• Jonathan Jalbuna — Director, Presidential Communications Group, Philippines. Former president, Press Photographer of the Philippines. Former director, Presidential Photographer Association of Malacañang Palace.
• Ejay Falcon — Vice Governor of Oriental Mindoro, former actor. Finished Bachelor of Arts in political science, major in local government administration (Executive Program, 2024).

Education

• Marita Canapi — Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education. Former president, University of Rizal System, and former vice president for academic affairs, University of Makati and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina. Finished Doctor of Education, major in educational management (2001)
• Lee Boy Villas — Exceptional Individual in the Field of Business and Education, Asia’s Modern Hero Awards 2023. Finished Bachelor in Secondary Education Major in Social Studies (2006).

Entertainment

• Khimo Gumatay — Singer songwriter and Idol Philippines season 2 winner. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, major in Local Government Administration (2023).
• Donita Nose — Host, comedianne, vlogger, singer, and actress. Finished Bachelor in Secondary Education Major in English (2001).

Sports

• Jeniellyn Lou Saldo — Body builder. 2017 Fitness Universe Champion. Finished Bachelor in Physical Wellness (2018), Associate in Multimedia Technology (2013).
• Editha Boticario - The 1st female referee of the Philippine Basketball Association. Technical Supervisor, ASEAN Basketball League and University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Trailblazer Awardee, Philippine Professional Sports Summit Awards. Finished Bachelor in Physical Wellness (2012).
• Paul Marton Dela Cruz — The first Filipino to win a medal in the Archery Event of the Asian Games. SEA Games, Asia Cup Leg, Asian Archery Championships, World Archery Championships, and Asia Cup Stage World Ranking Event Gold Medalist. Finished Bachelor in Physical Wellness (2014).
• Rachel Cabral — Olympic archer. Represented the Philippines in Archery at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Finished Bachelor in Physical Wellness program in 2011.
• Jemyca Aribado — A professional Squash player and ranked 83 on Official Women's Squash World Ranking as of February 2018. Finished Physical wellness major in Sport management in 2016.

Notes

References

References

1. (August 27, 2002). "2002-111 - CHANGE THE NAME OF PAMANTASAN NG MAKATI TO UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI".
2. "History of the University of Makati". University of Makati.
3. "University of Makati receives recognition as Higher Education Institution".
4. "List of Higher Education Institutions by Commission on Higher Education".
5. "SC affirms RTC ruling for Taguig City in territorial dispute with Makati City".
6. "University of Makati president: School still owned by Makati". Daily Tribune.
7. (August 17, 2023). "DepEd takes supervision of EMBO schools in Makati-Taguig row". GMA News.
8. (January 15, 2024). "DepEd: Taguig, Makati conclude 'orderly' transition of EMBO schools". CNN Philippines.
9. (November 10, 2023). "DepEd task force eyes completing transition plan for schools in Makati-Taguig row in November". CNN Philippines.
10. Sarao, Zacarian. (February 15, 2024). "Abby Binay asks Sara Duterte to resolve issues in 3 public schools".
11. Galvez, Daphnie. (July 29, 2024). "DepEd nixes Makati's request to manage 3 'embo' schools". PhilStar Global.
12. Argosino, Faith. (July 28, 2024). "DepEd denies Makati's request to manage 3 Embo schools". Inquirer.net.
13. University of Makati. (October 10, 2022). "Skyward: The Rise of the Herons". University of Makati.
14. (August 15, 2012). "UMak adopts senior high school scheme for good".
15. (April 12, 2022). "9 UMak School of Law pioneer grads pass Bar exams – Mayor Abby".
16. (Aug 14, 2023). "Colleges - University of Makati".
17. (May 19, 2023). "UMak gets a spot on World University Rankings for Innovation".
18. (May 19, 2023). "UMak earns spot in Global Top 200 Innovative Universities list for 2023".
19. Sevillano, Stephanie. (June 10, 2024). "CHED: More PH HEIs now with globalization outlook as 65 HEIs join WURI".
20. "Philippines {{!}} Ranking Web of Universities: Webometrics ranks 30000 institutions".
21. (June 19, 2025). "UMak makes history with first recognition in THE University Impact Rankings 2025".
22. (December 19, 2019). "UMak on Pacquiao's degree: He met all requirements.".
23. (August 30, 2024). "Ejay Falcon finally graduates from college after 17 years".
24. (August 31, 2024). "Ejay Falcon earns Political Science degree".