Rizal Technological University (RTU) is a state university located at Mandaluyong, Philippines. It was established on July 11, 1969, as the College of Rizal, part of the University of Rizal System before it became autonomous in 1975. The state university is also the first educational institution in the country to use cooperative education as a curriculum plan which is recognized by various industries, businesses and agencies all over the country. The university has various different academic fields, and focuses primarily on architecture, engineering, and technology programs.
RTU is also one of the first educational institutions in the Philippines to offer degrees in astronomy.
History
College of Rizal
The Rizal Technological College or RTU was established on July 11, 1969, upon the approval by the Secretary of Education in response to the request of the Provincial Board of Rizal, headed by then Governor Isidro S. Rodriguez, to put up a higher education institution in the Province of Rizal. It was first known as the College of Rizal.
The College of Rizal opened its classes on July 14, 1969, with course offerings in business administration, education and liberal arts.
Rizal Technological College
On March 20, 1975, the College of Rizal in Pasig and Rizal Technical High School in Mandaluyong, both situated in the Province of Rizal, were merged and converted into the Rizal Technological College (RTC) by the virtue of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 674 The decree authorized the expansion of curricular programs and promotion of researches in the development and conservation of natural resources in the Province of Rizal. The promulgation of P.D. No. 751 on July 25, 1975, amended certain provisions of P.D. No. 674 and made the operation and maintenance of the Rizal Technological Colleges a joint project and undertaking of the Provincial Government of Rizal and the Meralco Foundation, Incorporated. This Decree broadened the support and strengthened the organization of the college.
In 1975, upon the establishment of the Metropolitan Manila Commission, Pasig and Mandaluyong was transferred to the territorial jurisdiction of the Metro Manila. The Province of Rizal could not continue supporting financially the Colleges. Several alternatives were proposed to save the RTC. One was to transfer the management and administration of the RTC to one of the existing towns in the Province of Rizal or Metro Manila. The worst possible alternative was to phase out the Colleges. The leadership, the faculty, and the students of the Colleges would not allow this to happen, however, so they worked out the possible nationalization of the RTC. Through the support of then Metropolitan Manila Governor Imelda Marcos, the RTC constituency, with the Kabataang Barangay School Chapter of the RTC, and the Collegiate and High School Faculty Clubs at the forefront of the struggle for survival, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed into law Presidential Decree 1341-A on April 1, 1978, converting the Rizal Technological Colleges into a State College. The decree, however, was received only on October 13, 1978; thus, the RTC has been celebrating its College Week, and later its University Week on the days centered on October 13.
University status
After 19 years, the college was converted into the Rizal Technological University on October 11, 1997, by virtue of Republic Act (RA) No. 8365. The university is tasked to: provide highly professional, scientific, technological and special instructions in the fields of engineering and technology, education, business and entrepreneurial technology, and the programs; and promote research, extension and advance studies in its areas of specialization.
RTU Today
As of A.Y. 2021–2022, the university has a total of 28,013 enrolled students from both campuses.
Notable alumni
Jan Michael Silverio Tan – Ultimate Male Survivor in the second batch of the reality show StarStruck aired on GMA Network Ed Daquioag - RTU-LHS – basketball player for Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Nesthy Petecio – Filipina amateur boxer
Administrators
The university has been placed under the stewardship of seven administrators:
As College of Rizal (1969–1975) Dr. Jose M. Singson - Executive Dean (1969) Dr. Marcial R. Rañosa - Acting Executive Dean (1969–1974) Dr. Lydia M. Profeta - Executive Dean (1974–1975)
As Rizal Technological Colleges (locally funded - 1975–1978) Dr. Julio Balmes - Officer-in-Charge (1975–1976) Dr. Lydia M. Profeta - Executive Dean (1976–1978)