Asian Institute of Computer Studies: History, Campuses and Academic Profile

Overview

The Asian Institute of Computer Studies, commonly abbreviated as AICS, is a private, nonsectarian higher education institution located in Quezon City within the National Capital Region of the Philippines. Established in November 1996, the school was founded by Manuel T. Asis, who serves as the primary operator and governing body for the institution. As an active academic entity, AICS has maintained its status as a key provider of tertiary education in Metro Manila, specifically targeting students seeking specialized training in technology and business disciplines. The institute is situated in a strategic urban setting that facilitates access for students from across the capital region, leveraging the central location of Quezon City to attract a diverse student body.

The academic profile of the Asian Institute of Computer Studies is distinctly focused on three core pillars: computer science, information and communications technology (ICT), and business studies. This tripartite curriculum is designed to address the evolving demands of the Philippine labor market, particularly in the booming Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector and the domestic technology industry. By integrating technical proficiency in computing with foundational business acumen, the institution aims to produce graduates who are adaptable to both technical roles and managerial positions. The nonsectarian nature of the school allows for a flexible academic environment, appealing to students from various religious and cultural backgrounds who prioritize merit-based education and specialized vocational training.

Founded during the mid-1990s, a period marked by significant economic liberalization in the Philippines, AICS emerged to meet the growing need for specialized computer literacy and business management skills. The establishment in 1996 positioned the institute to capitalize on the early digital transformation of the Philippine economy. Under the governance of Manuel T. Asis, the school has sustained its operational continuity, adapting its course offerings to align with the rapid advancements in information technology. The institute’s commitment to these specific fields reflects a strategic response to the national educational landscape, where technical-vocational and professional degrees in ICT and business remain highly sought after by employers in Metro Manila.

History

The Asian Institute of Computer Studies (AICS) was established in November 1996 as a private, nonsectarian higher education institution in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Founded by Manuel T. Asis, the school was created to address the growing demand for specialized tertiary education in the fields of computer science, information and communications technology, and business studies. The founding location in Quezon City serves as the main campus for the institution.

Expansion and Branch Openings

Following its inception in Quezon City, AICS expanded its geographic footprint to capture student populations in key urban and provincial centers across the Philippines. The expansion strategy involved opening branch campuses in Manila, Pampanga, Cavite, and Cebu. These branches allowed the institution to offer its core academic programs—focusing on technology and business—to students outside the National Capital Region.

The chronological development of the AICS network is detailed below. The timeline reflects the strategic placement of campuses to serve distinct regional markets, from the heart of Metro Manila to the Visayas region.

Year	Event / Branch Opening	Location
1996	Founding of the main campus	Quezon City, Metro Manila
Post-1996	Opening of Manila branch	Manila, Metro Manila
Post-1996	Opening of Pampanga branch	Pampanga, Central Luzon
Post-1996	Opening of Cavite branch	Cavite, CALABARZON
Post-1996	Opening of Cebu branch	Cebu, Central Visayas

The establishment of these branches marked AICS as a multi-campus institution. Each location maintained the nonsectarian character and academic focus defined by founder Manuel T. Asis. The expansion into provinces like Pampanga and Cavite, as well as the island of Cebu, demonstrated the institution's intent to provide accessible computer and business education beyond the immediate vicinity of the Quezon City headquarters.

Campuses and Locations

The Asian Institute of Computer Studies (AICS) operates as a private, nonsectarian higher education institution headquartered in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City, within the National Capital Region (NCR) of the Philippines. Founded in November 1996 by Manuel T. Asis, the institution has expanded from its initial campus to establish a broader educational footprint across the archipelago. The Quezon City head office serves as the central administrative and academic hub, coordinating the curriculum and operational standards for the wider network. As of 2024, AICS manages a network of 12 branches distributed primarily across the Luzon and Visayas regions, allowing the institution to serve students in both urban and semi-urban settings. This geographic expansion reflects the growing demand for specialized education in computer science, information and communications technology (ICT), and business studies in the Philippine higher education sector. The branches operate under the governing oversight of Manuel T. Asis, ensuring alignment with the founding vision of integrating technical proficiency with business acumen. The institution remains active, continuing to enroll students and adapt its academic offerings to the evolving needs of the technology-driven job market in the Philippines.

Academic Programs

The Asian Institute of Computer Studies (AICS) structures its academic curriculum around three primary disciplines: computer science, information and communications technology (ICT), and business studies. As a private, nonsectarian higher education institution, AICS tailors its degree offerings to meet the evolving demands of the technology and business sectors in Metro Manila. The institute provides undergraduate programs designed to equip students with both theoretical foundations and practical skills in their respective fields.

Among its core offerings is the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS), which focuses on the fundamental principles of computing, software development, and systems analysis. This program prepares graduates for careers in software engineering, data science, and information systems management. Complementing this is the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (BSCpE), a hybrid discipline that integrates electrical engineering and computer science. Students in this program study hardware architecture, embedded systems, and network infrastructure, bridging the gap between physical computing devices and the software that drives them.

In the realm of business education, AICS offers the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship (BSEntrep). This degree program emphasizes innovation, strategic planning, and business model development, targeting students interested in launching startups or managing technology-driven enterprises. Additionally, the institute provides the Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLEd) with a major in ICT. This program is designed for aspiring educators, focusing on pedagogical methods and curriculum delivery in technology-rich learning environments, thereby addressing the growing need for specialized ICT teachers in Philippine schools.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Degree Program	Acronym	Primary Focus Area
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science	BSCS	Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering	BSCpE	Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship	BSEntrep	Business Studies
Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education Major in ICT	BTLEd	Information and Communications Technology

These programs reflect AICS' commitment to interdisciplinary education, allowing students to choose pathways that align with their professional goals in the tech and business industries. The curriculum is continuously updated to incorporate emerging trends in digital innovation and educational technology.

How has AICS adapted to the K to 12 curriculum?

The Asian Institute of Computer Studies (AICS) integrated into the national K to 12 curriculum by launching its Senior High School (SHS) programs in February 2016, marking the beginning of the 2016–17 academic year. This strategic expansion aligned the private, nonsectarian institution in Quezon City, Metro Manila, with the broader educational reforms aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Filipino graduates in the global workforce. As a school founded in November 1996 by Manuel T. Asis, AICS had already established a strong reputation for academic offerings focusing on computer science, information and communications technology, and business studies. The introduction of Senior High School allowed the institution to extend these specialized tracks to younger students, creating a more seamless educational pipeline from elementary to tertiary levels.

Alignment with Institutional Strengths

The decision to introduce Senior High School programs in 2016 leveraged AICS’ existing expertise in technology and business education. By offering SHS tracks that complemented its core academic strengths, the school ensured that students could begin specializing in areas such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) or ABM (Accountancy, Business, and Management) earlier in their educational journey. This approach is consistent with the institution’s long-standing focus on preparing students for careers in the rapidly evolving fields of computer science and information and communications technology. The expansion into Senior High School thus served not only as a compliance measure with the national curriculum but also as a strategic enhancement of AICS’ educational portfolio.

Impact on Student Pathways

The launch of the SHS programs in February 2016 provided students in Quezon City and the wider NCR region with additional options for post-secondary preparation. By integrating these programs, AICS enabled students to gain specialized skills and credentials before entering college or the workforce. This adaptation reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to evolving with educational trends while maintaining its identity as a private higher education institution dedicated to academic excellence. The 2016–17 school year marked a significant milestone in the school’s history, building upon the foundation laid by its founder, Manuel T. Asis, nearly two decades earlier.

Leadership and Administration

Founding and Early Leadership

The Asian Institute of Computer Studies (AICS) was established in November 1996 as a private, nonsectarian higher education institution located in Quezon City, Metro Manila. The founding of the institute is attributed to Manuel T. Asis, who served as the primary governing body and operator during the institution's inception. Asis established the academic framework that would define the school’s early identity, focusing on specialized curricula in computer science, information and communications technology, and business studies. The establishment of AICS in 1996 placed it within the rapidly expanding landscape of Philippine higher education, particularly in the National Capital Region, where demand for technology-focused degrees was growing. Manuel T. Asis’s role as the founder provided the initial administrative and financial structure necessary to launch the institution as a distinct entity in the Quezon City educational sector.

Presidency of Anthony S. Asis

By 2016, the leadership of the Asian Institute of Computer Studies had transitioned to Anthony S. Asis, who served as the president of the institution. Anthony S. Asis’s presidency marked a period of continued operation and administrative oversight for the school, ensuring the maintenance of its academic offerings in computer science and business studies. As the president, Anthony S. Asis was responsible for the strategic direction of the institute, overseeing the faculty, student body, and institutional growth within the competitive higher education market of Metro Manila. The transition from the founding era under Manuel T. Asis to the presidency of Anthony S. Asis reflects the generational and administrative evolution of the school over two decades of operation. Under Anthony S. Asis’s leadership, AICS maintained its status as an active educational provider in Quezon City, continuing to serve students seeking degrees in technology and business disciplines. The administrative structure under Anthony S. Asis supported the nonsectarian nature of the institute, allowing for a diverse student population and faculty composition.