18 December 2025
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Acer Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on December 16, 2025 at Vatel Manila Restaurant. The agreement sets the stage for programs that prepare students for the future through internships, microcredentials, immersion, mentorship, and real‑world IT projects.
Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Lacson recalled how Acer stepped in during the pandemic to provide laptops and connectivity support when students shifted to online learning. He shared, “We know we do a lot of things for our students, but we can’t do it on our own. We are very grateful for the help of our partners. This agreement expands that relationship and opens more opportunities for our students, including microcredentials and entrepreneurship immersion.”
Sue Ong‑Lim, Managing Director of Acer Philippines, reaffirmed Acer’s focus on education as a priority segment. “Education is really one of our priority segments. We are committed to immersion programs and to supporting learners with disabilities. We look forward to building more partnerships that strengthen inclusion and access to technology,” she said. Dean Marian Patricia Bea Francisco of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies highlighted the impact of Acer’s donations. “Sometimes you just need to make a little ripple to open the doors for others. A little ripple was our first engagement with Acer back in 2020 when they donated 30 laptops for our Deaf students. That donation enabled almost 80 Deaf students to graduate during the pandemic. Signing this agreement marks an important milestone in expanding access to technology and creating opportunities for the Benildean Community,” she said.
With the new partnership, Benilde now brings its future‑ready approach into technology, opening pathways for students to gain microcredentials, internships, and immersion opportunities with Acer Philippines. Earlier in December 2025, the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management also launched its own microcredentialing program during the 71st Young Hoteliers’ Exposition. That initiative equips students with industry‑recognized certifications in hospitality and service, boosting their employability and showing how Benilde is embedding microcredentials across disciplines.
The agreement ensures that Deaf learners are not only prepared academically but also future‑ready, empowered to participate fully in society and the workforce. Graduates of the Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies program are trained to take on roles in advocacy, education, and technology‑enabled community work. With the new partnership, they will have more opportunities to apply their skills in real IT projects, workshops, and internships that connect their training in sign language, research, and community building to industry practice. Learners in the Bachelor in Sign Language Interpretation program, who are prepared to bridge Deaf and hearing communities, will gain more opportunities to apply their skills in digital environments and industry immersion programs supported by Acer.
Acer is one of the world’s leading technology companies, known for its laptops, desktops, monitors, and education‑focused solutions. In the Philippines, Acer has built a strong presence by supporting schools and learners with devices and programs that improve digital access. Its relevance as a partner for Benilde lies in its ability to connect students to industry‑standard technology, provide expertise in IT and innovation, and strengthen inclusion by ensuring that learners of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, have the tools they need to succeed.
In a separate message, Chancellor Benhur Ong emphasized that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to practical and innovative learning that connects education with industry. He said, “Through this collaboration, we open pathways for student internships, microcredentials, immersion and exposure programs, collaborative workshops, mentorship, research, and real‑world IT projects—initiatives that will enrich learning and better prepare our students for the evolving demands of the technology sector.”
The partnership will run for five years and will cover collaborative workshops, cooperative research, and joint projects that connect students directly to industry practice.
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.
