A degree in the right direction

As fresh graduates jostle for the limited number of jobs available in the market, they will learn one lesson that was probably left out of their school curriculum: having the right degree is critical to employment.

It was only a decade or two ago when a high school diploma was enough to get one into the workforce. But as the number of jobs decreased, the requirements for employment became heavier.

These days, even a college degree no longer guarantees results, as further studies – a Master’s Degree or a PhD – quickly become the norm for workers looking to advance in the corporate world.

Many graduates have now begun to wonder if the only way to get ahead lies in having a foreign-accredited degree. The problem is, obtaining a foreign degree means having to contend with the restrictive tuition fees of universities overseas.

But, the local education industry has caught up with the increased demand for foreign programs, and many universities in the country now offer internationally accredited degrees.

One such institution is the Informatics International College. With its main campus located in the Northgate Cyberzone of Filinvest, Alabang, IIC offers courses leading to international degrees from prestigious colleges and universities in the United States, UK, Australia, Canada and throughout Asia.

"While globalization pushes the Philippine business community to stay at par with the rest of the world, we in the education sector cannot allow ourselves to be left behind," says Leo Riingen, president of the Informatics Computer Institute. "With the onset of information technology, students have to be prepared for a world with no borders. Only world-class education can prepare them for this."

Foreign degrees available at the IIC come from its affiliate universities, which include the Salem International University (US), University of Portsmouth (UK), University of Wales (UK), Ottawa University, Curtin University, Oxford University, University of London, University of Central England and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Students at the IIC have access to high-tech computer laboratories, with Pentium IV personal computers, Broadband Internet Connection and a comprehensive IT library collection. The campus even boasts of a multi-purpose open court, swimming pool and convergence hall for student related activities.

Furthermore, as a testament to the way the Internet has changed the face of education, IIC also offers on-line degree programs through its e-learning service provider, Purpletrain.com. This way, top executives and working students can continue their education or work on an extra degree, without having to attend regular classes on campus.

Informatics International College also has a campus located in St. Francis Square, Ortigas Center, and will soon open in North Edsa, Quezon City and University Belt, Manila. Interested applicants may log on to www.informaticsgroup.com or call 7727-0401 to 06.