The University of the Philippines (UP) Technology Innovation Campus is rising on a 5-hectare property within the University Town (UTown) district of Villar City in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The groundbreaking ceremony officially kicked off construction for the 22,932-square-meter facility funded by the national budget.
A Vision for Innovation and Collaboration
The UP Technology Innovation Campus is envisioned as a premier hub for technology, research, and industry collaboration in Southern Luzon . Its groundbreaking marks the culmination of a plan first announced in 2016, when Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. donated the five-hectare property to UP . The campus will be anchored by a six-story building designed to house programs focused on fostering student-technopreneurs, inventions, and research in innovation .
UP President Angelo Jimenez emphasized that the campus represents the university's commitment to expanding access to quality education beyond Metro Manila. "UP would not only be bringing some of our brightest talents, but building some of our most iconic and forward-looking structures that can inspire the country to greater heights," he said . The campus is also set to establish ties with international and local industries to drive research, professional training, and real-world applications of new technologies . This aligns with the original vision of the campus, which was intended to facilitate collaboration and develop partnerships with industries and business enterprises within CALABARZON.
Dasmariñas: Cavite's Emerging University Capital
The UP campus is a centerpiece of Villar City's University Town, a masterplanned district designed to host various schools, colleges, and universities alongside specialized learning centers . Dasmariñas already hosts a cluster of leading educational institutions, including De La Salle University – Dasmariñas, De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, and Emilio Aguinaldo College – Cavite, with a combined student population of over 20,000 .
The arrival of UP strengthens Dasmariñas' position as the "University Capital of Cavite" and forms part of a broader academic corridor taking shape across the province . Alongside UP's presence in Dasmariñas, Ateneo de Manila University is planning a campus in General Trias, and De La Salle University is expanding its footprint in Imus, giving Cavite all three of the country's leading universities—a rare distinction outside Metro Manila . This growing academic network is expected to increase access and opportunity for students while driving economic development in the province.
