Saint Louis University (SLU) has officially been categorized as a Tier 1 institution by the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), marking a significant milestone for its engineering programs. The announcement was formalized in a letter dated 02 May 2026, addressed to University President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD.
The granting of Tier 1 status signifies that Saint Louis University has successfully met the rigorous category thresholds established for the three primary criteria of the PTC Tier Classification System (TCS). This prestigious classification was finalized following a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the Self-Tiering Assessment Report (STAR) submitted by the university as part of its application for international recognition and accreditation. This achievement covers six specific programs within the School of Engineering and Architecture: Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. These programs were previously accredited by the PTC through the PTC Accreditation and Certification Board of Engineering and Technology – Engineering Accreditation Commission (PTC ACBET-EAC) in Academic Year 2018-2019, maintaining validity through 2021.
The current Tier 1 classification is officially valid for a period of six years, effective from the date of ratification by the PTC. To ensure continued excellence, the status may be extended upon the successful completion of a periodic review, which must be conducted prior to the conclusion of the six-year cycle or the end of the accreditation cycle for the university’s specific programs. This entire evaluation process was conducted under the expert recommendation of the PTC Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology (PTC-ACBET).
Achieving Tier 1 status carries substantial weight for SLU graduates on the global stage. In accordance with the Washington Accord, only engineering programs offered by Tier 1 institutions that are accredited by the PTC receive international recognition.
Furthermore, SLU’s accredited engineering programs will now be listed in the register of the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (FEIAP), adhering to the FEIAP Guidelines for Engineering Education.
The PTC expressed appreciation for the university’s cooperation, spearheaded by the School of Engineering and Architecture under Dean, Engr. Jeffrey Des B. Binwag. In the official correspondence, PTC President Federico A. Monsada emphasized that this achievement aligns with the council’s LEAPS 2026 initiative, which focuses on Leadership, Excellence & Ethics in Engineering Education, Accreditation, Practice and Services. This partnership aims to further the common goal of providing quality engineering education and securing international professional recognition for Filipino graduates.This milestone ensures that SLU engineering graduates are recognized globally, furthering the common goal of providing quality engineering education, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 for Quality Education, and securing international professional recognition. (Article and Photos by SLU SEA)
