21 July 2026
The Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines, Inc. (AAP) renewed its partnership with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to support the school’s Business Intelligence and Analytics program. The signing took place on July 17, 2026 at the Atrium@Benilde Campus, followed by lunch at Vatel Manila.
AAP President Michelle Alarcon and Executive Director Sherwin Pelayo joined Benilde Chancellor Benhur Ong, School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) Dean Joana Diñoso, and Sherlo Reyes, Director of the Center for External Linkages, in formalizing the agreement.
Benilde first partnered with AAP in 2022, laying the groundwork for faculty training and curriculum development. The renewed agreement builds on that foundation and expands opportunities for students in the Business Intelligence and Analytics program.
The renewed memorandum of agreement extends the collaboration until 2029. It commits AAP to help strengthen Benilde’s analytics culture through faculty training, curriculum development, and industry linkages. The association will also connect students to internships and job opportunities, while providing access to syllabi, textbooks, datasets, and training providers.
Benilde, in turn, will continue to support the partnership by hosting events, providing venues and logistics, and acknowledging AAP branding in joint activities. A faculty coordinator will work closely with AAP to manage projects and ensure smooth collaboration.
The partnership directly supports Benilde’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Business Intelligence and Analytics (BSBA-BIA). Benilde holds a pioneering role in analytics education, as the BSBA-BIA program is the first and only bachelor’s degree in Business Intelligence and Analytics offered in the Philippines. It prepares students for careers as data scientists, analysts, architects, consultants, and project managers. Graduates learn to handle the full data analysis process, from gathering information to making predictions and prescribing solutions with analytical tools.
The agreement also aligns Benilde’s program with global standards such as APEC Project DARE, Project EDISON, and the Business-Higher Education Forum. This ensures that students gain skills that are competitive in both local and international markets.
At SMIT, students gain exposure to industry practices through talks, competitions, and innovation projects that connect classroom learning to real business challenges. SMITensity 2025 showed this in action, with sessions on analytics and business intelligence that gave students a chance to apply their skills and ideas. The renewed partnership with AAP builds on this environment, giving the BSBA-BIA program more opportunities to grow and connect with the analytics community.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
