History of Asia Pacific College

The 1980's witnessed an exceptional growth in the Information Technology (IT) Industry. In line with this development, a strong demand for IT professionals resulted in the proliferation of computer schools throughout the country. With the sprouting of these schools, concerns over the quality of education came into focus when it was clearly observed that some graduates could not meet the high standards set by business and industry.

IBM Philippines, the leading IT supplier in the country together with SM (Shoemart) Foundation, the number one retail giant in the Philippines, explored the possibility of putting up a computer training institution that would produce high caliber graduates. The result of these exploratory talks is the inception in 1991 of Asia Pacific College (APC), the educational collaboration of these two prominent and highly successful privately-owned corporations.

Together with top IBM executives notably Mr. Ramon Dimacali, former Chairman and General Manager of IBM Philippines, Inc., well-known Filipino educators are APC's founding members: Dr. Paulino Y. Tan, former Executive Vice President of De La Salle University (DLSU) and Computer Consultant for SM; Prof. Leonida Africa, Vice President of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities and former Vice President for Academic Programs at DLSU, and; Bro. Andrew Gonzales, former Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, former President of DLSU and former President of the Manila Bulletin. The College's aim is simple: to produce competent professionals who can meet the demands of the industry. APC admitted its first students in 1991 with the launching of the Training Program in information technology. Initially, these students were employees of various corporations who needed to update their skills and know-how in IT. APC's College of Information Technology was launched in 1994 with the very first batch of degree program students being accepted that same year.

APC has evolved into an excellent scholastic institution dedicated to providing its students with an education that combines rigorous academic study and the excitement of applied projects and internship programs with the support and intellectual stimulation of a diverse campus community. The College is devoted to advancing knowledge and educating students in information technology, commerce, engineering, accountancy, entrepreneurship, multimedia arts and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the global community in the 21 st century. The College believes that professional competence is best fostered by coupling teaching and hands-on-training and forging these two is one of the mainsprings of growth in an economy increasingly defined by technology.

Today, APC is the school of choice for those aspiring to attain a world-class education with a strong IT-based foundation. Graduates of APC are now found in all sectors of business and industry and are translating their knowledge into products, services and jobs.