Be a Game Changer and Choose iACADEMY

As a parent, I only wish the best for my son. I believe that his future depends on what he will learn today.  This is the reason why my husband and I, in the midst of growing financial worries, works twice as hard to prepare for my son’s future educational needs because good education is the only thing we can offer to him.

I am one of the new breed of parents that are open minded in considering a different method of education.   I’ve seen and observed Ren as he grows older and I have noticed that he suits in a progressive kind of school.

My husband and I both came from traditional catholic schools and we know the strict set up in these kind of schools. We don’t want Ren to be isolated in textbooks and think just inside the box.  We feel that the education system should base their teachings not only on books but also apply it “more” on practical everyday life.  If you have watched the movie the “3 Idiots” then you will understand what I mean.

There are a lot of progressive school for preschool and elementary students nowadays, but only a few caters to high school and college students.

Let’s talk about college, one of the things I regret in my life was graduating in college with a course that I can’t use. If only I can turn back time I should have studied web designs, programming or I should have chosen education.

Why? because the courses I have mentioned are perfect for a stay at home mom like me.  It’s relevant in today’s generation. There are a lot of international companies who are outsourcing and they consider us Filipinos to be one of their contributors or employees.  If you are familiar with the third party job finding sites like Odesk and Elance, then you will know that I am right. Most of the works available in Odesk and Elance which are in demand are Programmers, Web designers, Graphic Artists and Tutors. And you can do these jobs at the comforts of your own home (even when you’re still wearing your pajamas).

I learned about these online opportunities because of my husband who is a graphic artist and working in the comforts of our house.

My husband before he discovered this opportunity also had a hard time in College.   He went to one of the top universities in college, he was lucky to be able to afford to study there.  Unfortunately, the course he took was not the course he liked to study.  His parents wanted him to be an engineer and he wanted to take Fine Arts.  During that time, people thought that kids who graduated from fine arts will not land a good high paying job which is why I don’t blame my parents-in-law if they insist that he took engineering.

After 4 years, my husband stopped studying.  According to him, he can’t take the engineering course anymore.  He tried his best to understand engineering but drawing still makes him happy.

Our experiences as a kid made the two of us decide that whatever happens, we will let our son to choose whatever course to take and on which school he would like to go when he reach college.  Of course, we will give him some criteria and guidelines to help him decide.  Here they are:

1.  The course should be industry relevant– Who doesn’t want to be hired as soon as you graduated? The reason why you are studying is to use what you learned outside the school and get paid for it. If the course is relevant and most companies need your expertise then you will get a job easily.

2. The school should have professional teachers– not only those with masteral or doctorate degrees but those who are really practicing the job of the course they are teaching.  For example the best teachers to teach animation should have an experience working in multimedia arts or an animator.

3. A limited number of students per class– As per my experience, I feel that a class with a limited number of students is better compared to a class with 50 to 60 students.  Teachers will know each of his/her students (their weaknesses and strengths and work on them).

4. A school that provides and helps their graduates in looking for a job–  partnering with top companies related to the course the school offers is a wise move.  Instead of OJT, the school should offer real training for the soon to be graduate so that when they go out the school, they already have a working experience.

5. Bullying, Hazing and Abuse is not tolerated– As a mom, I teach my son not to be a bully and not to be bullied also.  But let’s be honest not all kids are disciplined because nowadays parents are busy at work and have no time to access their kids. They let the school discipline their kids.  I like it when schools are strict to implement a No Bullying program because this will help me be at ease while my son is inside the campus.

Guess what! I found a school that have passed all these criteria.

I learned about this school when I got an invite for a school tour and was able to have an intimate discussion with their Dean, Vice President, President and other members of their faculty.

It was nice to meet the young President and CEO Ms. Vanessa Tanco

iACADEMY is a school located in the Central Business District of Makati City. Founded in November 2001, it offers specialized degree programs in

School of Computing

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Engineering
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with Specialization in Web Development
• Bachelor of Science in Game Development with Specialization in Game Programming and Design

School of Business

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Specialization in Marketing and Advertising
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Specialization in Financial Management

School of Design

• Bachelor of Science in Animation
• Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Arts and Design
• Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Technology

iACADEMY uses an industry-aligned curriculum in its degree programs that is focused in Computing, Business, and Design. The four-year programs culminate in a six-month, 960-hour internship program that the students have to go through before graduating.

In 2009, iACADEMY became an Authorized Training Partner of WACOM, a Japanese company that produces graphics tablets and related products.

In May 2010, iACADEMY partnered with TV5 during the first automated elections in the Philippines. Together with DZRH Manila Broadcasting Radio, Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), Stratbase, Inc. Public Affairs and Research Consultancy Group, ePLDT, Inc., and Social Weather Stations (SWS), they worked to bring up-to-date election coverage.

In 2010, it was appointed the first IBM Software Center of Excellence in the ASEAN Region and the first Lotus Academic Institute.

In 2011, iACADEMY was chosen by Solar Entertainment Corporation to be the official partner-school and workspace of the third season of Project Runway Philippines.

By 2014, iACADEMY moved to a new and bigger campus to house its growing student population.

On the same year, iACADEMY signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aboitiz Weather Philippines to develop a website and application for a faster and more user-friendly experience on weather reports.

iACADEMY was also able to lock down a study tour partnership with Polimoda, Italy’s leading school of Fashion and Marketing, as well a transfer program with De Paul University in Chicago, USA.

iACADEMY, together with the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI) also hosted the Animahenasyon 2014, the biggest Animation Festival in the Philippines, drawing thousands of students and professionals to the event. (info via: wiki/IACADEMY)

Isn’t this a promising school?

Anyway, whatever happens in the future, I just hope that my son will excel on his chosen field.  Just like his older cousins, he is also a potential iACADEMY student.

For more information about iACADEMY, visit their site at www.iacademy.edu.ph/site and Facebook page – www.facebook.com/iACADEMY

iACADEMY is located at 324 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. (Buendia), Makati City.