Mapúa is currently aiming for international recognition and excellence through accreditation by the US-based Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Accreditation by ABET will give graduates more opportunities in terms of employment abroad. Locally, eight engineering programs of Mapúa have been granted Level II Second Reaccreditation status by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA). Similarly, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has also granted "Full Autonomy Status" to the Institute, meaning, new programs can now be offered, and new branches of the Institute can likewise be opened.

Last March 2005, upon the expiration of its contract, the Mapúa High School along Doroteo Jose finally closed its doors. This, however, paved the way for the construction of the new Malayan High School of Science in Pandacan, Manila which is set to be inaugurated on January 16, 2006 with a target opening this coming June.

November 11, 2005 was the day Mapúa conducted an international entrance test in three Middle Eastern countries for Academic Year 2006-2007. The examination was administered in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, and was aimed primarily for the children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) who presently reside in the Middle East. Over the past decade, OFW’s have been sending their children to study in Mapúa even in the absence of international entrance exams. The Middle East, however, is not the only region from which international students of Mapúa come from, as the recent years have likewise shown students coming from Nigeria and Japan. The Institute also currently has a program accepting international recruits, with students from Turkey, Iran and Korea benefiting from the said program.

In line with Mapúa’s 81st founding anniversary, a one-day fair themed, "Mapúa On Sale Part 2"or (MOS 2) will be held on January 27 at the Intramuros campus. The first "Mapúa On Sale" was held last November 25 and featured more than 30 seminars, workshops and colloquia held at various locations within the Institute. For this coming MOS 2, one can look forward to highlights such as, "Mr. and Ms. Cardinal" competition, Alumni night, more colloquia and research seminars, as well as career orientations to be conducted by prominent Mapúa alumni.

Likewise, under the tagline, "If you have big dreams, start here," several new scholarship and financial assistance programs will be launched as part of Mapúa’s pledge to provide quality education to underprivileged but deserving students. January 27 will certainly be a day to look forward to.