HISTORY OF AMA UNIVERSITY

AMA is the largest educational institution in Asia and a pioneer in computer-based learning.

In 1978, Amable R. Aguiluz V., fourth son and namesake of Amable M. Aguiluz (1913-1977) who was a 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. It became one of the venues by which advancements made in computer science and technology were absorbed in the Philippine industrial life. The computer boom originating in Silicon Valley manifested itself in the undertaking.

As in other parts of the world, the growing trend in the Philippines at the time is towards computerization. However, the object conditions of the national economy were not totally suitable to the adoption of modern technology. The computer distributors gad to find ways of ensuring acceptance and usage in order to increase the demand for computers. The formula was simple: train programmers for a wider distribution base. On October 22, 1980, the Amable M. Aguiluz Institute of Computer Studies (AMAICS) was established for the 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 for its short term Electronic Data Processing (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. It occupied the old site with the very same number of computers. With a very small faculty and enrollment, history was drafted: AMAICS became the first institution of learning to offer a comprehensive curriculum for the country’s future computer scientist.

In June 1981, the AMA Computer College (AMACC) was born with the launching of the 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 of short-term computer education gave birth to the establishment of AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC) in 1987. Soon after, AMA instituted AMA Telecommunications and Electronics Learning Center (AMATEL), AMA Basic Education and AMA Pre-School in 1996. Establishment of ABE International College of Business and Accountancy followed in 1999. To date, AMA is serving about 180,000 Filipino students and 70,000 of them in college degree courses.

In 1999, AMA Computer College – Quezon City received its ISO 9001 Registration from 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 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 Communications, National Computing Center of United Kingdom (NCC-UK) and SmartForce.

Aside from more than 200 campuses and learning centers nationwide, AMA boasts of its international campuses in Guam, USA, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Sri Lanka and its fast conquering Asia-Pacific. AMA also initiated the establishment for the first largest Bahrain-based “e-learning hub” for the continuing IT-education of over 1.5 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.

The Commission of Higher Education (CHED) has conferred to AMA Computer College the university status on August 21, 2001. AMA Computer University is Asia’s pioneer and largest IT University.

VISION

The AMAU Library aims to be a globally recognized state-of-the- art library and network system providing timely, efficient and user-friendly data and information to its library users.

MISSION

The AMAU Library is committed to provide library users, especially University clientele, the best possible access to relevant information in strong support of the institution’s instructional, curricular, research and extension programs.

OBJECTIVES OF THE LIBRARY

1. To make the library a place for continuous education.
2. To orient the students on how to use the library.
3. To provide students with the library materials and services most appropriate and meaningful in their growth and development as individual.
4. To assist the faculty in selecting books that will meet the requirements of their course programs.
5. To support and supplement the instructional program of the colleges.
6. To cooperate with the administration, faculty and students in the establishment of the library as an integral part of the total education program.
7. To assist the administration in developing good public relations through pleasant and friendly contacts with students, faculty, staff and people of the community.