iACADEMY: first IBM Center of Excellence in the ASEAN Region

Times really fly so fast. Summer almost comes to an end, and just after election, students and most of all, parents are now looking for the best school/university for their loved ones. As I may say, every one of us is looking forward for the best in terms of education because having a great education nurtured in our second home we call school/university is a MUST. It will predict our future on where we gonna end up. Hone our skills and talents for a better individual. In addition to that, please let me share with you dearies a discovery of great knowledge venue just along the avenue of high-profile companies – Ayala Avenue, the Central Business District of Makati – iACADEMY.

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Welcome to iACADEMY!

iACADEMY offers first-class IT, Business, and Art courses, conducted in high-end facilities where students can learn in both aspects of theoretical and practical education. Strategically located at the country’s leading Makati business district, iACADEMY is home to industry professionals and partners, who would teach, train, and eventually hire their students.

iACADEMY’s mission and vision is to develop trailblazers and movers by providing a venue for the incubation and realization of ideas through lasting and meaningful partnerships with leading industry players. As pioneer in adult education, iACADEMY inspires its students to pursue their passions, develop real-world solutions, and be of service to society. Lending its expertise and industry experience to iACADEMY is a group of distinguished individuals (Board of Governors) who ensure that the school is always in its finest working conditions.

“The world is rapidly changing. Businesses today are not the same as they were years ago. Technology is also changing. No college or university in the Philippines understands this better than iACADEMY. We are not heavily reliant on text books. Our programs are really a mix of technology, arts and business. We come up with our programs by looking at what the industry needs rather than what is already available,” iACADEMY CEO Vanessa Tanco Cualoping explains.

Established in 2002, its founders, opened doors to 72 students in June 2002 in its premiere location along Ayala Avenue, Makati City. The first 72 students enrolled in BSBA e-Management, BSCS Software Engineering, BSCS Network Engineering, and BSIT Digital Arts. For the succeeding school years, the population increased and so the curricula were enhanced. To better equip its students, a partnership was made with IBM Philippines in June 2003. Two years later, the Computer Science and Information Technology program was granted recognition, with zero deficiency, by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). New courses were offered like BSBA Marketing and Advertising (2004), and BS Animation (2007), which holds partnership with the Cutting Edge Productions. Soon, more courses were offered: AB in Multimedia Arts and Design (2011), and BS Game Development and Programming (2011), which includes developing computer games in both mobile and desktop platforms designed by select members of the International Game Developer Association.

“iACADEMY is led by some of the most brilliant minds in business and education. Our Board of Governors include Washington Sycip, the founder of SGV; and Eusebio Tanco, the president of Asian Terminals Inc. and chairman of Philplans, Philcare, and many more companies. We have partnerships with the top corporations. We work with these corporations and we make sure that we are always at the forefront of technology and business,” boasts Ms. Cualoping.

In 2009, WACOM, the world’s leading manufacturer of interactive pen displays, pen tablets, and digital interface solutions, became iACADEMY’s training partner. With this partnership, iACADEMY’s Animation and Multimedia programs have been tremendously enhanced. iACADEMY’s educational services are now at par with prestigious local and international colleges and universities. In 2010, IBM appointed iACADEMY as the first IBM Center of Excellence in the ASEAN Region and the first Lotus Academic Institute. With just eight years of operation, IACADEMY proved to be one of the best training grounds for future IBM professionals. In 2011, iACADEMY opened its BS Fashion Design and Technology program and was chosen by Solar Entertainment Corporation to be the official partner school and workspace of Project Runway Philippines Season 3, the highly coveted fashion design reality TV show that has produced some of the country’s finest fashion designers.

“We monitor the progress of each student carefully. We value continuous improvement. Next term, one of the electives of our Software Engineering and Game Development students is an Apple game development course wherein they will be learning from professionals working in Silicone Valley. Each week students will learn from these professionals and work on projects using their iPads,” Ms. Cualoping further emphasizes.

Aside from this, The Office of Student Affairs and Services at iACADEMY has a diverse set of programs that their students can enjoy like activities and services that encourage campus engagement, develop leadership potential, promote self-expression, and nurture personal growth and development. Classes are a maximum of 30 students per class providing an in-depth discussion of topics, wherein all its professors, who are industry professionals and expert academicians, can focus on the needs of each student.

iACADEMY cares for its students and provides different programs that will support their academic and non-academic experiences. It’s Academic Advising, Coaching, and Enhancement (ACE) Program provides students a support system that helps students adjust to college life, learn, pass the rigors of academic requirements, and enjoy in the process.

As one of the pioneers of industry-partnered education, iACADEMY also built an internship program, where student interns work full-time with partner companies for at least 960 hours with professionals. This model has resulted in a 98% job placement success rate of iACADEMY graduates to date.

The premier location; the high-end facilities; and the dynamic and optimized student programs and services, provide the most conducive and effective learning environment for globally-competitive professionals. All these at iAcademy.

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See? What a great learning institution that would bringus a better future. If I were going to enhance my skills in terms of programming (since I’m working as a Software Engineer) and multimedia (for the love of arts) I would surely enrol at iACADEMY as they also offers short courses for everyone. Whether you are young or young-at-heart, there’s always a room for improvement and to know a little something of information that would make a bigger impact to our life and of course iACADEMY would be there to help us and guide us!

Have a happy start of the week! A great Monday ahead! (^_^)

P.S. Please VOTE wisely, think twice, thrice or million times before shading the circle.

P.P.S. Please also join my giveaway here. 

Hugs & Kisses,

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