iACADEMY expands course to meet workforce demands

CEBU, Philippines — As demand for industry-ready professionals surges, iACADEMY Cebu is expanding its specialized course offerings tailored to meet the evolving workforce needs.

Located at Filinvest Cebu Cyber Tower 2, Salinas Drive corner W. Geonzon St., Brgy. Apas, Lahug, Cebu City, the campus which opened in Cebu in 2023 recorded a 96 percent placement rate for its graduates, especially for its flagship career ready programs in technology, design, and business.

According to Mitch M. Andaya, vice president for academic affairs and college dean, two years after its entry to Cebu, the school offers a range of programs designed to equip students with the skills demanded by today’s dynamic industries.

Key programs include Animation, Multimedia Arts and Design, Software Engineering, Game Development, and Real Estate Management. These fields are experiencing rapid growth, and iACADEMY ensures its students receive top-tier education and training to secure competitive career opportunities.

“We were offering programs that were not available in traditional universities. In Makati, we were the first to offer a software engineering program, and now, in Cebu, we continue our mission of being a catalyst for innovative education,” said Andaya.

Known for its strong industry partnership that delivers a 96 percent job placement rate,

iAcademy initially offers software engineering, game development, real estate management,

animation, and multimedia arts.

The institution takes pride in providing an advanced learning environment, featuring high-tech laboratories and industry-standard facilities. It also boasts amenities such as a Cintiq room, a lightbox room, a green room, multimedia and computer laboratories, and a modern student lounge.

For instance, animation students train using advanced drawing tablets akin to those used by professionals at Disney and Pixar. Additionally, students have access to an extensive digital library, including over 250,000 e-books through EBSCO, to support their academic pursuits.

A key differentiator for iACADEMY is its faculty, composed of active industry practitioners rather than traditional academicians. This real-world expertise ensures that students are taught based on current industry demands rather than solely from textbooks.

“We don’t want our faculty to teach just from textbooks. We want them to teach based on experience. Many employers say graduates from other schools do not meet industry requirements. We address this by bringing industry professionals into our classrooms,” Andaya explained.

Beyond standard coursework, iACADEMY provides an additional 500 to 600 hours of training—exceeding the requirements set by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)—ensuring students are fully prepared for industry challenges upon graduation.

With tuition fees ranging from P70,000 to P85,000 per term, iACADEMY Cebu presents a solid investment in quality education, translating into high employability and career success.

Now in its second year of operation, iACADEMY Cebu has grown to 235 students and 18 dedicated faculty members, Andaya said.

The campus, currently occupying the 5th floor of Filinvest Cebu Cyber Tower 2, spans 1,500 square meters and can accommodate up to 500 students.

Expansion plans are underway, with additional floors to be added to accommodate the institution’s rapid growth, she added.