Situated in a lush property in Caloocan, the 118-year-old Manila Central University follows strict pandemic protocols.
Last December 2021, Manila Central University (MCU) was ranked the second safest and greenest university ready for the post-pandemic school year by the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for the Metro Manila area. The criteria for the ranking included setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, and education and research. On a larger scale, the university ranked eighth in the Philippines, and 719th in the world.
UI GreenMetric World University Rankings have been given by the Universitas Indonesia since 2010 to measure each participating university’s commitment to developing an environmentally friendly university.
“We at Manila Central University have always valued the overall student experience. We believe that it contributes significantly to the actual learning itself. When the school or university you are studying in provides an environment that inspires and makes you feel safe, the learning experience is elevated,” says VP for Planning and External Affairs Dr. Renato C. Tanchoco.
Protocols and preparations
For the new school year, MCU has made sure that its safety protocols, including fully vaccinated faculty and staff, are all in place. It strictly follows the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), the Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Education (DepED) as part of its advocacy to be the safest and greenest campus in the country. The school has also established a disinfection schedule, in which classrooms and offices are disinfected before and after every use. Furthermore, the school implements a strict protocol of no face mask, no entry, and temperature check.
Apart from these, the university developed its own contact tracing app, MCU Trace, which contains an online health declaration system. Complementing these efforts are isolation rooms and hand-washing stations in strategic locations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We are definitely excited to see our students again,” says Dr. Tanchoco. “But with the privilege of experiencing face-to-face learning, there is a huge responsibility on our part to keep everybody safe and at ease. We will continue to invest in our facilities and curriculum, and apply high standards to provide an environment conducive for learning and enjoying life as a student.”
About MCU
Situated in a 10-hectare property in Caloocan and surrounded by almost 500 trees, MCU has been educating young and passionate minds for almost 118 years. It is the first pharmacy school run by Filipinos and the first to offer a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. MCU has also expanded its scope to business administration and information technology, teaming up with professionals and experts to provide relevant, quality education and experience to students. MCU also offers pre-school, primary, and secondary education (PAASCU Accreditation Level II).
