Founded 58 years ago on March 6, 1946, FEATI University was first known as FEATI Institute of Technology, an endeavor began by the visionary couple, Dr. Salvador Araneta and Dr. Victoria Lopez de Araneta, whose mission was to establish a school in aeronautics, technology and sciences.
The name FEATI came from the company called Far Eastern Air Transport Incorporated, known as the first civil airline in post-war Philippines that served the Iloilo-Manila-Hong Kong route. When company shares were sold to Philippine Air Lines, the Araneta couple retained the name and decided to contribute in a more expansive way through education.
It was on May 30, 1959 that the Institute became FEATI University. From being a humble institute to reaching its university status, FEATI has continued to produce highly skilled graduates in sciences, engineering and technology, even in fields of business and the arts. The innovative spirit and creativity of the Featinians is part of their heritage. The university has in fact produced a number of scientists, inventors and businessmen. FEATI graduates have also actively helped in the development of private and government sectors here and abroad.
PRESENT TIMES
Since celebrating its 58th Foundation Day last March 6, the University has prepared a calendar full of different activities for this academic year. With the reorganized and revitalized administration comes the ongoing physical renovations in the campus. The Helios Street entrance (presently the University's main entrance), for one, is undergoing improvements. The Paterno Building fronting the MacArthur Bridge will be completed by December, housing the new FEATI Technology Center. The SMART Sweep Laboratory is another facility that will put FEATI IT students at par with their counterparts in other universities. The continuous upgrading of laboratory equipment is also applicable to the five Institutes: Engineering and Technology, Maritime Education, Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education, Business Administration and Architecture and Fine Arts. Scholarships are also part of the University's legacy. Aside from academic scholarships, the university also offers Varsity Sports Scholarship, FEATI Brass Band and the FEATI Choir.
Responsible for molding students as unique individuals are the dedicated and competent FEATI instructors. At FEATI, continuing education is strictly supported and implemented. With the Research, Development and Extension Services headed by Dr.-Ing. Adolfo Jesus R. Gopez, the new department will provide the setting for a more research-oriented team of instructors, who would design and carry out the extension services of the University for the community. The university's strategic location in the heart of Manila's Quiapo district will also be used to maximize its capacity to deliver continuing professional education, public seminars, social and scientific fora to potential beneficiaries in the community. At FEATI, things are definitely looking up for the young men and women enrolled under its programs.
FLAGSHIP COURSES
FEATI University's legacy is being the home of inventors with the innate quest to innovate and create. Embodied in its Mission and Vision statement, FEATI envisions itself as a leading knowledge center for the advancement of ideas. Its mission is to promote basic and applied Research and Development, generate innovative technologies, and develop outstanding students.
Before, 10 courses in the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the 2 courses in the Institute of Maritime Education make up its flagship courses. But with the rapid changes and development brought about by the dawn of the Information Age, the flagship programs of the University have shifted from its founding courses in Aeronautical Engineering to Information Technology. ECE and IT courses aim to produce graduates with competencies in basic and advanced electronics and communications education. True enough, it has yielded, through the years, IT professionals who have acquired technical skills grounded in appropriate concepts and principles and are adaptive to the work environment that will enable them to conceptualize, design, develop and implement and maintain Information and Communication Technology Systems (ICTS).
Of the 5 million OFWs, a large percent is made up of seamen and deck hands and officers. The lure of becoming dollar earners has indeed made seafaring a lucrative career. FEATI University's Marine Engineering course equips its graduates for life at sea with the proper training and education for them to be skilled and competent in seaworthiness and safe operation of a vessel. Its Marine Transportation course is also geared towards providing the local or international shipping industry with technically competent, energetic and disciplined deck officers in a commercial or international shipping vessel.
