Ama History

“AMA is the largest IT University in Asia and a pioneer in computer-

based learning.”

Amable R. Aguiluz V, fourth son and namesake of Amable M. Aguiluz (1913-1977) who was former Auditor General during President Diosdado Macapagal’s administration, formed a distributorship in Manila for Computerland. The firm became one of the main distributors of Apple Computer in the Philippines. As in the other parts of the world, the growing trend in the Philippines is towards computerization. However, the

object conditions of the national economy are still not totally suitable to this modern technology. The distributors had to find ways of ensuring acceptance and usage in order to increase the demand for computers. The formula was simple: train programmers for wider distribution base.

The Amable M. Aguiluz Institute of Computer Studies (AMAICS) was established for said purpose. At that time when many people were not yet oriented to computer technology, AMAICS decided to educate the market. AMAICS was housed at the second floor of David

building along Shaw Boulevard. Six apple computers were initially used and eight trainees were taken in for its short-term EDP courses. Six months after its inception, AMAICS started offering the Comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program. In its first semester, the Institute had a total of thirteen enrollees.History was drafted: AMAICS became the first institution of learning to offer a comprehensive curriculum for the country’s future computer scientist.

The AMA Computer College (AMACC) was born with the launching of a 4-year degree course in BS Computer Science. The student population of AMACC rose dramatically from 13 in 1981 to 2,000 in 1985. In response to the growing need for computer education, AMA established its first campus in Makati in 1983 and its second campus in Project 8, Quezon City in 1986 catering to already more than 3,000 students. Over the years, this was followed by more branches in key cities nationwide.

The growing demand for shortterm computer education gave birth to the establishment of AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC).

AMA Instituted AMA Telecommunications and Electronics Learning Center (AMATEL), AMA Basic Education and AMA Pre-School.

Establishment of ABE International College of Business and Accountancy followed. To date, AMA is serving about 180,000 Filipino students and 70,000 of them in college degree courses. AMA Computer College- Quezon City received its ISO 9001 Registration from the Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS). It is the first IT-based educational institution to have been certified to ISO 9001:1994 standards. It is also the first non-American school to become member of the American

League of Colleges and Universities (ALOCU), the first to offer Computer Science and Computer Engineering as full degree courses. It enjoys international affiliation with Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Avaya Communication, and National Computing Center of United Kingdom (NCC-UK) SmartForce.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has conferred to AMA Computer College, Project 8, Quezon City the University status.

AMA Computer University is Asia’s pioneer and largest IT University.