The Mindanao Polytechnic College, one of the prestigious maritime education institutions in south Mindanao, has become a byword among the
ships manning agenciesin the maritime industry. They come in its campus, one after another, in search for more of its graduates for deployment
on board their various shiplying all over the world and into different ports. The competence and standard of discipline demonstrated its
graduates has captivated the interest and confidence of the industry.
In restrospect, the institution saw its beginning in the School Year 1980-1981 in the heart of General Santos City. It was conceived from the passion to
bring opportunities closer to the youth against the backdrop discipline and responsible citizenship. The noble idea was brought into reality by the founder,
Captain Arturo A. Aguilar, Master Mariner, while he was serving as the Harbor Pilot of the Port of General Santos. tandem
with his wife mrs. Susana R. Aguilar, and education graduate and entrepreneur, provided a strong and collaboration for a challenging venture to establish
the Mindanao Polytechnic School in June 1980.
The initial offering are the 4-year course Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration; the maritime courses both leading to Bachelor of Science degree, such as the 3-year
Associate in Maritime Transportation prior to a one-year shipboard apprenticeship and the 2-year Associate in Marine Engineering prior to a 2-year Shipboard engineering
apprenticeship; the 2-year General Radio Communication Operator; and the 6-month Basic Seaman Course, made the big start, known as the “Big 5” courses, conveniently
accommodated in a neighboring provinces. These courses are symbolically portrayed in its logo of the five points of the lone on the left side of the anchor.
While the inaugural year was generating an impressive response from enrollees, the development of permanent site was undergoing
feverishly in the pristine property about four kilometers in the east outskirt of the city. it is located in Crossing Makar,
along the highway when going southward to Makar Seaport and farther right to the National Airport and the General Santos City Fish Port.
The construction of adequate classrooms and facilities were at its peak to be made available for classes in the following school year. true to their commitment
, the second year of operation has the school finally settled in its permanent site with spacious classrooms, laboratory facilities, administrative and service
facilities, sports and athletic ground convenient for extra-curricular and co-curricular activities for wholesome learning environment.
The school further gained recognition upon its acceptance of membership to the philippine Association of Maritime Institutions (PAMI) in 1981 and then later gained
membership to the philippine Association of Private Technical Institutions (PAPTI) for its offerings of technical courses in Marine Electrical Technician, marine Electronic Technician
, Marine Refrigeration Technician and Industrial Electronic Technician.
In 1984, Mindanao Polytechnic School was changed to Mindanao Polytechnic College to give justice to the aggressive innovations to provide more course offerings. The
opening of High School Technical Curriculum in this school year provided opportunities for the youth to pursue higher studies in preparation for college. The offering of the 2-year Associates
Business Administration paved the way for the opening of the bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy.
The increased patronage of Marine Transportation program and the demand for its graduates on board ship hastens the construction of the 3-story Maritime Building in 1993 which accommodated classes in full
capacity in the school Year of 1995-1996 and thereafter. A mock-Bridge, a replica of a ship’s bridge, an important station of the ship for control and maneuver, was also provided with navigational and
communication equipment and facilities for effective student familiarization and laboratory activities. in this facility were installed a magnetic and gyro compass, RADAR receiver, clinometer that indicates
the trim of the ship, the engine signal telegraph, a steering platform that can simulate the movement of the ship, and some other tools and materials for visual communication signal.
However, the High school faced its closure during this same period, when public community high Schools were already available and accessible to students in the area. The preparations for the full
implementation of the Maritime Education reforms in compliance with the national commitment to the conventions of the international Maritime Organization on Maritime Safety of Life at sea and the
environment.
The MPC came into another pioneering adventure in 1998, when the Hotel and Restaurant Management was opened to enrollees. It was then the only institution in the locality to offer the program. The
extension of the Maritime Building was constructed to address adequately the demand of the increasing enrolment. The program draws the interest of Marlow Navigation, a ship manning company,
by outsourcing its culinary training for shipboard cooks from various ships specialty on European and Asian Cuisine to cater efficiently to the gustatory needs of Ship’s crew of
menu catering to different nationality and taste. The culinary laboratory facilities were provided with appropriate improvement and adequate equipment and utensils.
The program brought the HRM into a sea-based orientation in addition to being a land-based program. It generated opportunities for its graduates to be employable on board
cruise ships on international travel destinations.
The increased patronage of its programs, driven by success stories of the alumni, a 4-story building was constructed in 2009 to generate more classrooms and laboratory facilities. It is now named SUSANA HALL.
Here is where the laboratories for Physics and Chemistry and the Multi-Media Center are conveniently located at the 4th floor.
The performance of the graduates in various industries has generated keen interest of manning companies from Manila and elsewhere, to come into the campus in search for more applicants to fill up their requirements.
Linkages wre then firmed up to ensure fair deal for the graduates they accommodate for their apprenticeship program and subsequent employment on board their ships. Various commitments were generated to enhance training and placement
programs. Scholarships and other support initiatives wre explored and made available to help students go through college. A dormitory facility was established to provide in-house accommodation for company scholors.
The initiatives to go global included the development of the school website at mpcgensan.edu.ph went accessible in 2010. The students, as well as, their parents can already access grades and other relevant academic information in the web and get updated
. again, the first school in SOCSARGEN area to provide the information in the internet. Although it is still on its development stage, everybody is putting their tender hands
to let it grow and glow into its wider global influence. The spirit of Commitment has to be kept burning. further enhance its competitive edge. Patronage to its programs in quality education, training and services sustained the trust and confidence of the community
as manifested by the increase of enrollment for School Year 2011-2012.
The ever-burning quest for excellence of MPC sailing full speed towards certification to ISO 9001:2008 was realeized on March 23,2015. The institution’s dedication to Quality Management System was again shown in the latest TUV Rheinland Surveillance Audit Last January
20,2016 that resulted to zero non conformity. At present, MPC is making a transition to ISO 9001:2015. Along with this transition is another milestone in MPC’s history as the only school in Mindanao to offer Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (BSNAME) this SY 2017-2018.