UA&P launches executive education hub in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) is expanding its presence beyond Metro Manila with the launch of UA&P CORE Cebu, an executive education hub designed to provide specialized training and development programs for industry leaders and professionals.

The soft launch and partnership was held on March 28, 2025, at the Capitol Room of Citadines Cebu City.

UA&P CORE Cebu is an extension of UA&P’s Continuing Real-World Education (CORE) program, which aims to equip professionals with industry-specific skills while promoting values-driven leadership.

With Cebu emerging as a premier educational and business hub, UA&P recognizes the need to address the growing demand for executive education, reskilling, and ups-killing in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

The event marked the formal partnership between UA&P and Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI), a top regional real estate developer, through a memorandum of agreement (MOA). The signing was led by UA&P President Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog, CLI Chairman Jose Soberano III, and CLI Executive Director & Senior EVP Jose Franco Soberano, who was instrumental in setting up CORE Cebu’s headquarters at Latitude Corporate Center in Cebu Business Park.

The start of classes at the new campus will be announced soon.

“This strategic expansion to Cebu represents a decisive step toward UA&P’s 2030 vision of establishing a nationwide presence,” said Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr., Chairman of UA&P.

“By extending our reach to Cebu, we aim to create opportunities for lifelong learning and leadership development that align with the evolving needs of industries across the country,” Cuisa explained.

According to UA&P founder and economist Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, Cebu provides an ideal environment for UA&P’s brand of education due to its robust economy and diverse industries, including BPO, manufacturing, and tourism.

Villegas emphasized the critical need for upskilling, reskilling, and retooling professionals to enhance their capabilities in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Cebu’s thriving business community, strong alumni network, and connectivity to the broader Visayas and Mindanao regions make it an optimal location for UA&P’s executive education initiatives.

UA&P CORE Cebu campus aims to serve a broad audience, from young professionals and mid-career managers to senior executives and entrepreneurs.

“Cebu’s dynamic business landscape creates the perfect opportunity for UA&P to contribute its expertise in executive education and leadership development,” said Dr. Roberto Miguel S. Roque, UA&P Vice President for Business Development and Alumni Affairs, reiterating its goal to provide programs that address the specific needs of industries and empower leaders to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

UA&P CORE Cebu will offer a diverse range of programs, including: Communication and Leadership; MA in Business Analytics – Data Governance;

Project Management; Basic Supervision; Strategic Business Economics Program (SBEP); Applied Sustainability Management in Asia Pacific; Family Business; Agribusiness Executive Program; Data Protection Officer Foundational Course; Master in Management Certificate Course; Church Management Seminar; and Custom Programs tailored to specific industry needs.

By 2030, UA&P aims to establish a strong presence across the Philippines, with Cebu as a key regional hub that will serve as a model for future expansions. The establishment of CORE Cebu is a decisive step toward achieving this vision, bringing UA&P’s brand of education and leadership development to a wider audience.

UA&P is a private, non-profit institution of higher education. It originated from the Center for Research and Communication (CRC), a private think tank founded on August 15, 1967, which specialized in conducting economic and social research while also offering graduate programs in economics.