Filipina awarded best graduate worldwide

MANILA, Philippines - Information technology student Karen Kalalo was recently awarded by Singapore’s Informatics Academy International (IA) as the best graduate in her course, besting her peers from over 60 Informatics branches in more than 20 countries.

Karen recently earned her International Diploma in Gaming and Animation Technology from Informatics Academy of Singapore. Along with her diploma, Karen received a commendation from IA as the “Best Student (worldwide)” for her course. 

Karen’s Advanced Diploma guarantees her at least two years’ worth of college in Informatics’ global partner universities.

Karen, a registered nurse, has always loved working with her hands, enjoying art classes in school and even joining art contests.

She took up nursing after graduating high school in 2004, hoping to land a high-paying job in the US.

“We had a deal at home. I would save money for five years as a nurse then I could do what I want,” Karen said in Filipino.

While saving up and working on her papers to take the nursng exams for the US, Karen was working as a technical secretary in an engineering firm, where she eventually became a 3D technical artist. She then decided to pursue a career in animation.

Karen searched the web for a good animation school and enrolled at Informatics, saying it’s a “big plus” that the school is international.

As a student of Gaming and Animation Technology, Karen did not just learn the basics of computers, networks, and programs – in her first year she already learned how to create her own animations and games with full graphics and sounds.

Karen was the only student to get straight A’s on her exams and projects this year, earning a mark of “Distinction” in all her subject modules.

Her dream is to work for Pixar, the firm responsible for such animated hits as “Toy Story” and “Finding Nemo.” Pixar has several Filipinos in its production and design teams.

Karen will continue her studies for another year to earn her International Advanced Diploma in the same course.

Informatics Philippines, established in 1994, is part of a network of more than 300 computer schools operating in 45 countries around the world.