MU Reverts to Quarterm System for A.Y. 2026-2027

Article by: John Marvin Corsino, Ross Daniel L. Martin, and Hailey Jade Miranda

Photo by: Azi Dayao

Two years after adopting a trimestral system, Mapúa University (MU) returns to the quarterm system this upcoming Academic Year 2026-2027. This change necessitates adjustments in various aspects of the academe for both faculty and students alike. While this transition to the previous system aims to enhance the academic experience, many students have expressed concerns regarding its financial implications and associated workload.

Curricular Adjustments

In the quarterm set-up, each term is divided into 11 weeks, with a week dedicated for enrollment. Dean of the School of Architecture, Industrial Design, and Built Environment (ARIDBE), Dr. Junar P. Tablan, says that the fast-paced environment that MU already has will not fundamentally change. While the shorter 11-week period requires compressing the syllabi across courses, the contents and learning outcomes will remain unchanged.

Dr. Lilibeth D. Sabino, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, stated that the modular system from the previous quarterm will not be reinstated, nor will the alternating on-site and off-site weeks from the former trisem. The scheduling for the upcoming terms will revert to four on-site days and two online days, Friday and Saturday. However, if laboratory classes are held on the aforementioned days, face-to-face classes may be held.

With the shift, the maximum load per term is reduced from 21 to 18. Despite this, students with outstanding units left in their curriculum will remain on track to meet their expected graduation timeframe. “Medyo parang nakatipid pa ng mga isang term, ganon,” Dean Tablan shared.

Dr. Sabino also clarified that the maximum number of units that can be enrolled is as specified in the respective departmental curriculum. However, in certain cases, such as when a student is graduating and units are low enough, overload may be allowed. In addition to this change, status review will now be at the end of every quarter, compared to previously at the end of the school year.

Students can expect to view their adjusted curricula on their respective MyMapúa Portals by the opening of classes in August.  The ARIDBE Dean shared that changes can be expected in terms of the delivery of lectures, noting, “…significant changes in terms of intensified application, integration of artificial intelligence, [and] more pedagogical approaches in terms of technological and digital applications.” In preparation for the shift, the different departments are developing an enhanced syllabus format that integrates artificial intelligence (AI).

Dean Tablan believes that the Mapúan core principles of resilience and excellence will prevail, citing ARIDBE students as an example, “…alam naman ng ARIDBE yan during their stay in ARIDBE, they can feel the vibrant community here. Medyo ma-trabaho man, pero you know, we make sure na enjoyable at saka talagang sulit yung pinag-aaralan nila kasi with the results of the board examination, lagi naman kaming top-performing school.”

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Calendar Shifts

The USG trifecta of the Central Student Council (CSC), Council of Organizations (COO), and Council of Presidents (COP) serves to facilitate communication between the student body and the administration. However, the USG stands its ground against certain nuances surrounding the impending shift.

John Benedict Vida, COO President, shares that the meeting between the admin and the USG was less of a discussion and more of an announcement, saying that the USG was, “unfortunately reduced to recipients of an administrative announcement rather than active partners in the decision-making process.” Corroborating this statement, Kathleen Keiyth V. Floreza, CSC President, shared that “the discussion seemed more like a briefing than a consultation on the students' views on the issue at hand.” Despite, the nature of the meeting, both Vida and Floreza reassured that the USG remains dedicated to amplifying the student body’s voice.

The CSC launched the ‘Quarterm System Concerns and Grievances Form’ for Mapúans to express their concerns to the Office of the President. The form gathered mixed reactions, but according to Floreza, “the majority still had reservations regarding the shift, especially with the fast pace, heavy workload, and impact on learning quality that comes with it,” as Mapúans also raised financial concerns about the increase in tuition and the length of payment periods.

Another mandate of the USG is to initiate both academic and extracurricular activities to accommodate the approaching shift. The USG remains on high alert, monitoring grievances and communicating within the trifecta to plan initiatives that will support students. The COO is pushing for inclusive policies that prioritize student welfare, while the CSC re-established its ‘Student Welfare and Advocacy Committee’.

University-wide events held by the USG may be compromised due to condensed term weeks, limited time preparation, and student leaders increased personal workloads. Despite this, the USG remains to be fully dedicated to its mandates to serve as the voice of the student body and champion representation for all Mapúans.

Campus Life

Mapúans are the most affected by the quarterm transition, as they are prompted to adjust to upcoming changes in their respective curricula. In general, student perceptions of the upcoming shift are varied. Students who have studied under the quarterm deem it more effective than the trimester system. An anonymous  3^rd-year Psychology student expressed , “[the] quarterm was more effective kasi nasanay na ako doon sa pacing and… mas gusto ko yung system [noong] quarterm kasi modular yun.” Some also claimed that the quarterm allowed students to more easily catch up with lessons and make up for unsatisfactory grades.

On the other hand, the student expressed about trisem, “hindi ko na-experience yung [summer vacation] before mag-trisem, [but] hindi ko rin feel na effective [siya] kasi hindi siya naplano nang maayos.” Based on this experience, seniors are concerned for their juniors who will be undergoing a similar transition and encountering hardships amidst the shift back to quarterm.

Junior batches expressed the same sentiments as their seniors, feeling uncertainty and anticipation towards the return of quarterm. Reactions among students remain divided, with some expressing concern about increased tuition costs, “First is our financial [situation] since in the coming tuition, we still don't know if the tuition will be higher in sum or lower in sum. Next would be the schedule changes since there would be less subjects. I'm still not sure if there are less time in school or more time in school or more time per subject,” said ‘Puti,’  a first-year BS Information Technology student.

Similar concerns were raised by other students, particularly regarding the adjustment period that the retransition will require. Anne, a 2nd-year nursing student expressed that there will be a significant adjustment for students, as they have grown accustomed to the trimester calendar for 2 years.

 Others have chosen to view the transition from a more optimistic perspective. Having never experienced the quarterm system firsthand, some Mapúans believe that change will serve as an opportunity for growth and a challenge to push themselves further shared by Adrian Tan, a first-year BS Computer Science student.

Prior to adopting the trimester system, MU had spent 23 years with the quarterm system, advancing through national and international rankings to become a pioneering academic institution. The return of the quarterm system spells a faster path to graduation for some, but a grueling year ahead for others.

Amidst conflicting concerns and opinions, all Mapúans are affected by this change. As some questions are still yet to be answered a clear, open communication between the students, student leaders, faculty, and administration is necessary to achieve a smooth and successful retransition to MU’s signature quarterm system.