UP National Engineering Center

What UP National Engineering Center does

UP National Engineering Center (UP NEC) is a constituent center of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Engineering, established in 1978 and headquartered at Juinio Hall on the UP Diliman campus in Quezon City, Philippines. The organization operates as an engineering research and development hub that bridges academic faculty expertise and Philippine government development needs, executing feasibility studies, consulting projects, and technical advisory services for agencies including DPWH, NEA, PhilSA, DOE, BSP, and DOST under formal MOA/MOU agreements. It houses several constituent centers (UP NCTS, TCAGP, PhiLCESS, UP NHRC) and is led by Executive Director Dr. Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling and Deputy Executive Director Dr. Czar Jakiri S. Sarmiento.

UP NEC generates revenue through four primary streams: government-funded engineering research and consulting projects, fee-based professional training programs (Php 15,000 per three-day module in Facilities Management, Construction Management, and Data Science), venue and equipment rentals at its Quezon City facility (Php 2,250-4,350 per 4-hour slot), and academic publishing through the Philippine Engineering Journal and Technical Bulletin. Recent strategic moves include the July 2025 launch of LikásGPT, an LLM-based multilingual CRM co-developed with InfiniVAN Inc. covering 12 Philippine local languages, and the August 2025 launch of the Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence program in partnership with UP Cebu. With approximately 10 direct employees supplemented by UP College of Engineering faculty consultants, the center combines mandate-driven government work with selective commercial technology development.

Name

UP National Engineering Center

Legal name

University of the Philippines National Engineering Center

Website

https://nec.up.edu.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UP National Engineering Center is a 1978-founded engineering research hub under the University of the Philippines Diliman. It executes consulting projects for Philippine government agencies, delivers professional engineering training, publishes the Philippine Engineering Journal, and develops AI tools such as LikásGPT.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Research and Consulting Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA), Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF)

Keywords

• Engineering research consulting
• Professional engineering training
• Government infrastructure advisory
• Academic engineering publications
• Facility rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Quezon City

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Research and Consulting Projects: UP NEC implements engineering research, feasibility studies, and consulting projects for government agencies (DPWH, NEA, PhilSA, DOE, BSP, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) and private institutions. Faculty members act as project consultants. Revenue is derived from project contracts funded by government appropriations or agency budgets.
2. Professional Engineering Training Programs: UP NEC offers fee-based professional certificate programs in Facilities Management and Construction Management, along with modular training programs in Data Science and Analytics, GNSS, and specialized topics. Programs are priced at Php 15,000 per module (e.g., three-day sessions). Revenue is generated through participant registration fees and DOST-ERDT scholarships.
3. Facility Rental and Venue Services: UP NEC rents out its conference and seminar facilities (Audio Visual Room, Seminar Rooms, Lounges, Computer Lab, Executive Board Room) to UP affiliates and external parties. Rental fees range from Php 2,250 to Php 3,800 for the first 4 hours, plus hourly rates for additional time. Equipment rental (LCD projector, sound system, desktop computer) and utility/custodial services are also charged.
4. Academic Publishing: UP NEC publishes the Philippine Engineering Journal and Technical Bulletin, providing an academic publishing platform for engineering research. Revenue is generated through article processing and publication activities. The Philippine Engineering Journal operates a double-blind peer-review system.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UP National Engineering Center is the engineering research, consulting, and training hub of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Engineering. It executes engineering feasibility studies, design projects, and technical advisory work for Philippine government agencies such as DPWH, NEA, PhilSA, DOE, BSP, and DOST, delivered by UP faculty acting as consultants. It also runs fee-based professional certificate and modular training programs, publishes the Philippine Engineering Journal and Technical Bulletin, and rents out conference and seminar facilities.

Product overview

UP National Engineering Center (UP NEC) operates as an engineering research and development center under the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Engineering. The center offers a portfolio of products and services including: LikásGPT (AI-powered CRM with multilingual Philippine language support), Document Tracking and Monitoring System (internal document management), professional engineering training programs (Facilities Management, Construction Management, Data Science), academic programs (Master of Engineering in AI), publications (Philippine Engineering Journal, Technical Bulletin), i-conNECt webinar series, and facilities rental. The center serves as a hub for engineering innovation connecting government, academe, and industry through projects, training, and technical expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LikásGPT AI-powered, locally attuned Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system designed specifically for the Philippine market, built on Large Language Model (LLM) technology. Supports 12 local languages covering over 90% of the Philippine population and enables companies to engage customers accurately regardless of dialect or channel (chat, email, SMS, social media). Developed by InfiniVAN Inc. in collaboration with UP NEC.
• Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence Two-year professional graduate degree program designed to train engineers, scientists, and technical professionals in the design, development, and deployment of autonomous AI systems. Delivered via hybrid format with synchronous evening classes and occasional in-person sessions in Cebu. Research areas include autonomous AI systems, computer vision, speech synthesis, predictive analytics, and human-robot interaction. DOST-ERDT scholarships are available covering full tuition and a ₱30,000 monthly stipend.
• Professional Engineering Training Programs Fee-based professional certificate and modular training programs offered by UP NEC, including the Professional Certificate in Facilities Management, Professional Certificate in Construction Management, and the Data Science and Analytics Certification Program. Each module is delivered over three days from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Php 15,000 per module, with additional offerings in GNSS, MIKE 21 modeling, and specialized engineering topics. Aimed at working engineers and industry practitioners seeking continuing professional education.
• Philippine Engineering Journal Peer-reviewed academic engineering journal published by UP NEC through the Saliksik UP repository. Operates a double-blind peer-review process overseen by an Editor-in-Chief, and accepts technical papers, short communications, critical reviews, and letters to the editor on engineering topics.
• Technical Bulletin Technical publication series covering engineering topics, made available through the UP COE Technical Bulletin Bookcase and the NEC publications section.
• Engineering Research and Consulting Projects Engineering research, feasibility studies, and consulting projects implemented by UP NEC with UP College of Engineering faculty acting as consultants. Engagements cover seawall feasibility and detailed engineering design for DPWH, MIKE 21 training for UPMO-Flood Control Management Cluster engineers, slope disaster mitigation demonstration projects, Bankwide Process Review and Big Data Project for BSP, downstream natural gas regulation support for DOE, and solar PV resource assessment via satellite/GIS for DOST. Revenue is funded by government agency budgets and formalized through MOA/MOU agreements.
• NEC Facilities Rental Venue rental service for UP affiliates and external parties covering the Audio Visual Room (90 pax), Seminar Rooms A and B, Lounge spaces, Recording Studios, Computer Laboratory, Executive Board Room, The Hub, Wellness Center, and NEC Grounds. Pricing is based on a 4-hour base block with additional hourly rates, and equipment rental (LCD projector, sound system, desktop computer, tables, chairs) and utility/custodial services are charged separately.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 international conference papers, 5 local conference papers, and 3 academic journal publications produced by Project SINAG over two years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• InfiniVAN Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2025UP NEC collaborated with InfiniVAN Inc. to launch LikásGPT, an AI-powered CRM system designed to understand Filipino languages and dialects. The MOA signing took place on July 29, 2025 at UP National Engineering Center. LikásGPT supports 12 Philippine local languages and aims to cover over 90% of the Philippine population. The project is led by Dr. Eugene Rex L. Jalao of UP.
• UP Cebu – College of SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025UP Diliman's College of Engineering partnered with UP Cebu's College of Science to launch the Master of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence (AI) program, approved by the UP Board of Regents in 2021. The program began its first semester in August 2025 with hybrid delivery (synchronous evening classes, occasional in-person sessions in Cebu). DOST-ERDT scholarships are available covering full tuition and ₱30,000 monthly stipend.
• Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 May 2024UP NEC was invited by PNOC to share expertise and insights on Energy and the Environment for the Future Ready Academy initiative on May 4, 2024 at the PNOC Corporate Center in Taguig. UP NEC speakers included Dr. Jeark Principe (Renewable Energy), Prof. Rowaldo Del Mundo (Philippine Electric Power System), and Dr. Lew Andrew Tria (Economic and Social Value of Renewables). The program served 30 Senior High School students from Metro Manila science high schools.
• Philippine Satellite Agency (PhilSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2024UP, PhilSA, and NEA signed an MOU and MOA on January 18, 2024 at NEA H.E.S. Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City, to achieve 100% electrification in the Philippines by 2028. PhilSA contributes satellite-based technology for identifying unserved and underserved areas, collaborating with UP NEC on GIS database development and rural electrification planning and monitoring systems.
• National Electrification Administration (NEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 January 2024NEA is the lead government agency for the 2028 full electrification goal. The partnership establishes a framework for joint research, training programs, and technical advisory services. Through UP NEC and the NEA-EC Training Institute (NETI), EC engineers and employees receive skills and knowledge to improve electricity distribution services in rural communities.
• Daisho Company LimitedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023Daisho Co. Ltd partnered with UPNEC for the i-conNECt seminar on Green Approach for Preventing Shallow Landslides on December 1, 2023. Daisho implemented a demonstration project in the Cordillera Administrative Region funded by JICA and the Department of Public Works and Highways. Dr. Shota Yoshida of Daisho presented on slope reinforcement technology that does not require cutting trees.
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023JICA Philippines Office supported the i-conNECt seminar on landslide prevention and provided funding for a slope disaster mitigation demonstration project in the Cordillera Administrative Region, implemented by Daisho Co. Ltd in cooperation with DPWH. Mr. Jiro Oshima, Senior Representative of JICA Philippines, attended the seminar.
• WJ Groundwater PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 October 2023UP NEC and UP College of Engineering partnered with WJ Groundwater Philippines to conduct a special i-conNECt on Groundwater Management on October 19, 2023 at the UP NEC AVR. Dr. Toby Roberts, Executive Chairman of WJ Philippines and international expert with 40+ years of experience in dewatering systems, served as main speaker. The event was also streamed online via Facebook.
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – PhilippinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022UP NEC serves as the implementing arm for DOST-funded research projects. Project SINAG was a two-year joint research project between DOST Philippines and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of the People's Republic of China, focused on solar PV resource assessment using geospatial technologies. The project produced 9 international conference papers, 5 local conference papers, and 3 journal publications, conducted 10 training workshops, and supported 26 students across SHS, BS, and MS levels.
• Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) – People's Republic of ChinacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Joint research partner with DOST Philippines on Project SINAG, the Philippines-China joint research initiative on renewable energy and geospatial technology assessment. MOST co-funded the two-year research project that included training workshops, student support, and scientific publications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mapua University: A leading Philippine private engineering and IT university with applied research centers. Mapua's blend of engineering education, industry-funded research, and executive training competes with UP NEC for faculty expertise and corporate clients.
• Technological University of the Philippines (TUP): A Philippine state university focused on engineering, architecture, and industrial technology. TUP's mix of engineering degree programs and applied research mirrors UP NEC's academic-plus-consulting profile within the government university sector.
• DOST - Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI): DOST's applied research arm for industrial technology, food, and materials. ITDI competes with UP NEC for government R&D contracts and offers similar engineering consulting services to Philippine industries.
• DOST - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI): A Philippine government R&D institute under DOST focused on ICT, electronics, and space technology. ASTI shares UP NEC's mandate of executing government-funded research and collaborating with UP on technology initiatives such as the 2028 electrification mandate.
• Ateneo de Manila University - School of Science and Engineering: Ateneo's engineering and science school conducts funded research and offers professional development programs. It is a peer academic engineering institution in the Philippines competing for talent and research grants.
• DOST - Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC): Another DOST R&D center providing engineering services and applied research to Philippine industry. MIRDC's mandate in metalworking and industrial engineering R&D closely parallels UP NEC's engineering-focused project work.

Broad incumbents

• Singapore A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research): Singapore's statutory board driving government-funded R&D across engineering, physical sciences, and biomedical sciences. A*STAR represents a broader, well-capitalized incumbent whose operating model parallels UP NEC's government-consulting R&D approach at greater scale.
• UP Diliman College of Engineering: The parent engineering college within the University of the Philippines Diliman. UP NEC operates as its research and consulting arm, sharing faculty and laboratories, and thus represents the most direct institutional counterpart.

Regional players

• King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT): A leading Thai technological university offering engineering degree programs, applied research, and industry consulting. KMUTT provides a Southeast Asian reference point for how a national technical university monetizes engineering expertise through training and consulting.
• Asian Institute of Technology (AIT): A Thailand-based regional postgraduate engineering institution. AIT offers comparable graduate engineering education, applied research, and government consulting services across Southeast Asia, making it a regional benchmark for UP NEC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UP_NEC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@upnationalengineeringcente4372
• Facebookfacebook.com/upnationalenggcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/up-national-engineering-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UP National Engineering Center