Breaking Barriers to Poverty Through Education: QCU’s Robust Enrollment and UNIFAST Support

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    • Quezon City University (QCU) continues to demonstrate its steadfast commitment to inclusive education and poverty alleviation, as shown by its sustained enrollment growth over the past six years. From 7,493 students in Academic Year (A.Y.) 2019–2020, the university has now reached 10,915 students in A.Y. 2024–2025, marking a 46% increase and affirming QCU’s role as a transformative institution in higher education.

    This growth is not merely a numerical achievement; it represents lives transformed. All QCU students are beneficiaries of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) program by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), ensuring that access to quality education is not hindered by financial limitations. The majority of QCU students come from low-income and lower-middle-income households, making the university’s programs a lifeline for thousands of families striving for upward mobility.

    Enrollment Growth as a Pathway to Opportunity

    QCU’s robust enrollment reflects both its rising reputation and its vital role in shaping a future where education is a powerful equalizer. The steady increase—from 9,428 students in 2020–2021 to over 10,000 in 2023–2024 and beyond—underscores the growing trust of Quezon City residents in the university’s mission of inclusive, affordable, and quality education.

    This expansion directly aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty) by providing accessible education that paves the way for economic empowerment. By nurturing a new generation of entrepreneurs, educators, engineers, accountants, and IT professionals, QCU equips its graduates with the skills to secure stable employment, support their families, and contribute to national development.

    Diversity of Programs for Inclusive Growth

    The distribution of enrollment across QCU’s degree programs illustrates the breadth of opportunities made available to students, regardless of their socio-economic background:

    • BS Entrepreneurship (3,605 students) – cultivating future job creators and innovators.
    • BS Information Technology (2,928 students) – preparing graduates for high-demand digital careers.
    • BS Industrial Engineering (1,717 students) and BS Electronics Engineering (647 students) – training engineers to drive productivity and innovation.
    • BS Accountancy (922 students) and BS Management Accounting (369 students) – equipping future financial leaders.
    • Early Childhood Education (490 students) – shaping teachers who will build the foundations of future generations.

    Other specialized fields such as Computer Science (93), Information System (95), and Computer Engineering (49) further strengthen QCU’s contribution to diverse sectors.

    These programs are not only designed for academic excellence but also serve as tools of empowerment for students who might otherwise be excluded from higher education.

    Scholarships as an Anti-Poverty Program

    Through the UniFAST full scholarship, students at QCU enjoy tuition-free education, removing one of the greatest barriers faced by families from disadvantaged communities. The impact of this support is two-fold:

    Immediate Relief for Families – Parents are freed from the financial burden of tuition and miscellaneous fees, allowing them to allocate scarce resources to daily needs.

    Long-Term Poverty Reduction – Graduates are better positioned to secure decent jobs or start their own businesses, breaking cycles of poverty and contributing to sustainable development.

    Education as QCU’s Anti-Poverty Commitment

    QCU’s enrollment growth story is a testament to its role as an active partner in nation-building. Each of its 10,915 students is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the university’s anti-poverty mission in action. By opening its doors wide to marginalized communities, QCU advances not only the aspirations of individual students but also the broader fight against poverty in Quezon City and beyond.

    As the university looks forward to further strengthening its academic and social impact, its message is clear: QCU is more than an institution of learning—it is a ladder out of poverty, a beacon of opportunity, and a partner in building a just, inclusive, and sustainable society.

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