For a century, Mapúa University has been a pillar of academic excellence, but their latest move isn’t just an expansion—it’s a full-blown disruption of higher education. Get ready, because Mapúa has officially launched its School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), and its location is as innovative as its curriculum: their first-ever in-mall campus at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
This isn’t your average classroom setup; it’s an immersive, industry-first approach designed to mold the next generation of global hospitality and tourism leaders.
Training Inside the Industry, Not Just For It
The landmark launch was immediately cemented by a strategic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with two heavy-hitters: Ayala Land Hospitality (ALH), the owner of the premium Seda Hotel brand, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay (AMMB). This partnership is the secret sauce for the STHM’s groundbreaking, experiential learning model:
- The Luxury Lab: STHM students gain unprecedented access to Seda Hotel Manila Bay facilities. This means their classroom extends into a premier establishment, providing advanced, real-world training right where the action is.
- Career Fast-Track: Students get priority for highly coveted on-the-job (OJT) training across various Seda Hotel branches nationwide, and a distinct advantage for potential employment upon graduation.
- Ecosystem Access: Collaboration with Ayala Malls Manila Bay allows students to utilize the mall’s vast ecosystem of tenants and event spaces for educational projects and practical case studies.
As Mapúa University President and CEO Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo put it, this move renews their century-long commitment to “preparing leaders for emerging industries.” He emphasized the strategic power of this collaboration: “By collaborating with Ayala Land Hospitality and Ayala Malls… our students will receive top-notch industry exposure.”
The AI-Powered Future of Service
In true Mapúa fashion, innovation extends beyond location and partnership—it’s woven into the curriculum itself.
Aligned with Mapúa’s cutting-edge Co-Intelligence AI Strategy, the BS in Tourism Management and BS in Hospitality Management programs are future-proofed with AI integration. Students won’t just learn traditional service; they’ll master smart operations, data-driven analytics, and digital marketing in AI-powered learning settings.
Dr. Lora Lee F. Reboton, Dean of the Mapúa University School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, highlighted the balance: “Our programs will hone the skills needed to balance progress with heart, ensuring that as we innovate and optimize, we never lose the human connection that is the soul of true hospitality.”
This momentous occasion, celebrated by key leaders from both academia and industry—including ALH President and CEO George Aquino and executives from the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP)—is a powerful statement. By merging a century of academic excellence with unmatched real-world facilities and cutting-edge technology like AI, Mapúa STHM isn’t just teaching service; they are cultivating the next generation of pioneers equipped to lead the modern, tech-driven international sector.
Ready to pivot your career into the future of global tourism and hospitality?
Learn more about the future-ready STHM programs here: www.mapua.edu.ph
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