UOG celebrates opening of new School of Engineering building
UOG celebrates opening of new School of Engineering building
UOG celebrates opening of new School of Engineering building
1/26/2026
A long-held vision for the University of Guam became reality with the official opening of the UOG School of Engineering on Friday, Jan. 16. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a significant milestone for engineering education in Guam and the broader Micronesian region.
The 16,000-square-foot facility was made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Governor of Guam, and additional contributions through the University of Guam Endowment Foundation.
The school currently serves more than 200 students pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering. UOG’s program holds the highest six-year accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), positioning it among the nation’s recognized institutions for engineering excellence.
“For decades, UOG’s pre-engineering program helped lay the groundwork,” said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez. “Now, with a fully accredited School of Engineering, students from Guam, the region, and even abroad can earn a competitive U.S.-accredited engineering degree without leaving the island.”
The facility features modern laboratories, classrooms, conference spaces, and faculty offices — all equipped to support instruction, research, and workforce development in civil engineering and beyond.
The School of Engineering is one of four new facilities opening on the UOG campus, joining the Dr. Lucio C. Tan Student Success Center, the Nursing Annex, and the Water and Environmental Research Institute (WERI) Building. Together, these reflect the university’s strategic investment in STEM education and its commitment to strengthening the local and regional workforce.
President Emeritus Robert Underwood recalled the University’s early steps in engineering education, dating back to 1989. “When UOG began planning a full School of Engineering, everything changed,” he said. “Math and science students began staying on island. Our calculus classes were thriving.”
Dr. Enriquez emphasized that despite delays and challenges, the vision for a full-fledged engineering program remained a priority.
School of Engineering Director Dr. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi announced further program growth. “We recently launched a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and will welcome our first cohort this fall,” he said. “We also plan to launch a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in Fall 2027. For Mechanical Engineering, we’ve created 2+2 transfer pathways with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and, starting next year, with the Colorado School of Mines.”