Benilde SHRIM and AsiaWorld Hospitality Sign MOU to Expand Hospitality Training and Micro-Credentialing
Benilde SHRIM and AsiaWorld Hospitality Sign MOU to Expand Hospitality Training and Micro-Credentialing
20 May 2025
At Hotel Benilde’s Roofdeck on the AKIC Campus on May 9, 2025, Benilde’s School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) sealed a new partnership with AsiaWorld Hospitality. This agreement paves the way for practical training and micro-credentialing programs for students and faculty. It builds on Benilde’s legacy, first marked by the recognition as a Certified Guest Service Property in 2017.
Chancellor Benhur Ong remarked, “Today’s event marks a significant milestone in our partnership with AsiaWorld Hospitality. Through this MOU, we open the door to global standard training and credentialing, providing our students and faculty with a competitive edge in the global hospitality industry.”
AsiaWorld Hospitality, the exclusive authorized representative of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute in the Philippines, brings global expertise to our programs. These include Culinary Arts Management, Hospitality and Luxury Management, Tourism Management, and International Hospitality Management.
The pinning ceremony recognized faculty members who earned certifications as Certified Guest Service Professionals (CGSP), Certified Hospitality Educators (CHE), or both:
- Vice Chancellor for Academics
- Dean Dr. Marie Castro
- Mr. Richard Matthew Abalos
- Ms. Krystalline Asanion
- Mr. Frederick Ang
- Mr. Jester Arellano
- Ms. Margarita Marty
- Mr. Franz Alfred Monteclaro
- Ms. Lia Michelle Navarro-Quinto
- Mr. Jerwin Pineda
- Mr. Gioseppe Angelo Racelis
- Mr. Karl John Rivera
- Ms. Lorena Valerio
- Mr. Kent Earl Yap
This celebration also noted SHRIM’s long-standing commitment to industry standards. In 2019, 12 SHRIM faculty members participated in similar ceremonies to receive CHE and CGSP certifications.
Mr. Andrea Mastellone, President of AsiaWorld Hospitality, said, “You are poised to become the Cornell or École Hôtelière of the Philippines. With this partnership, you are joining the largest hospitality training network in the world, featuring 20 million certificates issued, 60,000 associates and training in over 12 million hotel rooms globally. It’s a big thing.” Managing Partner Lissa Marie Ouano-Sheker, CGSP, added, “This is a new benchmark in shaping globally competitive, service-oriented graduates.”
Dean Dr. Castro stated, “Micro-credentialing makes higher education more agile and responsive to the ever-evolving job market. This MOU is a big step forward for tourism and hospitality education in the country.” She also acknowledged the support of Vice Chancellor for Academics Mr. Angelo Lacson and Director for External Linkages Mr. Sherlo Reyes.
Looking ahead, this MOU outlines a clear roadmap for advancing the College’s educational initiatives. It will drive student internships, immersive exposure trips, targeted data analytics workshops, and real-world project collaborations. Through specialized micro-credentialing courses, classroom learning will directly translate into industry-ready skills. By leveraging AsiaWorld Hospitality’s global network and expertise, Benilde is poised to meet the dynamic demands of the hospitality market. The future of hands-on, global-standard hospitality education at Benilde is closer than ever.
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.
