YGC Invests in Global Education to Further National Growth

The Yuchengco Group of Companies’ (YGC) House of Investments (HI) continues to boost its contributions toward nation-building through strategic global partnerships under its education investment arm, iPeople, Inc. Through iPeople’s Mapúa schools, a collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) has been established—setting the tone for the group’s long-term vision of creating sustainable futures where Filipinos can thrive and compete globally.

“With YGC’s visionary leadership and steadfast support, iPeople schools are fully empowered to deliver world-class education to Filipino students. We want to continue developing highly employable, future-ready Filipino graduates who are more equipped to adapt to global events, thus increasing economic productivity, national stability, and eventually global recognition,” says Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, President and CEO of Mapúa University and the Mapúa Education Group. Mapúa University is one of the network of schools under iPeople, which also includes Malayan Colleges Laguna, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Malayan High School of Science, National
Teachers College, and University of Nueva Caceres.

Why globally aligned education is necessary

According to the 2026 International Education Database, the Philippines ranks 71st out of 203 countries, indicating the impact of the Philippines’ education system on its economic and social environment. As of early July 2026, the Philippines ranks 85th out of 177 countries in the Global Education Futures Readiness Index that benchmarks the future readiness of a country’s education.

Maestrecampo adds that iPeople’s investment in the Mapúa-ASU partnership represents the breakthrough the nation needs to overcome current and emerging global challenges. With the ripple effects of international developments closely felt by many Filipinos today, he maintains that it is crucial for the next generation to be adequately prepared to participate and lead in a deeply interconnected world.

“The Mapúa-ASU partnership not only provides education meant precisely for that purpose, but also helps ensure more Filipino families can reap the benefits of a global education. Philippine industries are set to gain considerable advantages as well, with the applied, industry-relevant research prioritized by the partnership enabling the formation of real-world solutions to critical industry problems,” Maestrecampo affirms.

ASU’s accolades in sustainability, future readiness and socially responsible innovation all represent the core tenets within YGC’s identity as a conglomerate. ASU is ranked No. 1 in the US ahead of MIT and Stanford, by U.S. News & World Report (2016-2026). Furthermore, ASU

is ranked No. 1 in the US — ahead of MIT and Penn State — and top 10 in the world six years in a row by Times Higher Education (2020-2025) for advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

“Global education is a key facet of nation-building, opening doors not just to better futures for Filipino graduates, but also to international synergy. The leaders of tomorrow will be those who face the world and all its intricacies with both open arms and a well-informed mind,”
Maestrecampo concludes.