The Office of Innovation for Lifelong Learning, Internationalization and Future Talent (iLIFT) is responsible for cultivating and sustaining global and local partnerships to deliver innovative, flexible learning pathways, robust international learning experience and industry-aligned and internationally oriented career opportunities for students and professionals. The office advances Mapúa’s commitment to developing future-ready, globally competitive, and culturally competent lifelong learners by leading initiatives under three core pillars: Lifelong Learning Education, Internationalization and Career Advancement.

In line with the University’s vision of becoming a global leader in education, iLIFT serves as Mapúa University’s hub for lifelong learning, global engagement and career development recognized for its transformative impact on individual career trajectories and the cultivation of a culture of lifelong learning, ultimately driving personal and professional success. Its mission is to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem that fosters innovation, develops future-ready skills, and provides accessible pathways for lifelong career advancement.

iLIFT empowers individuals to achieve their professional goals and global aspirations by delivering innovative programs that connect education, international engagement, and career opportunities. Through its integrated approach to lifelong learning, internationalization, and career advancement, iLIFT prepares students and professionals to thrive in an increasingly, interconnected and rapidly evolving world. Our focus includes:

1. Ensuring career readiness through targeted skill development and placement support
2. Promoting internationalization and global citizenship
3. Providing diverse lifelong learning opportunities to adapt to evolving industry demands
4. Building strategic local and international partnerships that create meaningful learning experiences, foster innovation and collaboration and expand career and global opportunities for students and professionals.

iLIFT provides the following services:

1. Integrated Learning and Career Development – a seamless pathway from education to employment, ensuring that learners can continuously develop skills that are relevant to the job market.
2. Career Readiness and Placement - offer robust career services, including job placement, internships, and career mentoring to ensure that learners are prepared for the workforce
3. International Experiential Learning – provides students with transformative global learning opportunities that foster intercultural competence, global citizenship, and international career readiness.
4. Lifelong Learning Opportunities - promote continuous education through exclusive upskilling and microcredential certifications, postgraduate certification programs, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs and others to help learners advance in their careers
5. Industry partnerships – foster strong relationships with industry partners to align educational programs with current and future job market needs.

LIFELONG LEARNING PILLAR

The Lifelong Learning Pillar is the University’s engine for lifelong learning and skills development providing Curriculum Integrated Program (CIP) for the Mapua learners, Continuing Professional Education (CPE) for professionals, and flexible modular programs for non-traditional learners.

CIP are certification-integrated courses embedded within the curricula of both engineering and non-engineering degree programs. These courses are aligned with industry standards and requirements, equipping learners with relevant competencies and globally recognized certifications that enhance their employability and competitiveness upon graduation

CPE programs are designed for professionals seeking to upskill, reskill, or enhance their expertise in specific fields. These programs may carry Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit units in compliance with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) requirements for the renewal of Professional Identification Cards (PIC) in the Philippines.

In August 2019, Mapúa launched its Microcredential Program, under which most Mapúa iLIFT microcredential courses may be credited as elective units toward selected master's degree programs. These credits remain valid for up to two (2) years, providing learners with flexible pathways toward advanced education.

As part of its capacity-building initiatives, Mapúa iLIFT has established strategic partnerships with leading training providers and industry organizations to deliver globally recognized programs, including the Cisco Networking Academy Program and the CompTIA Academy Program, among others.

Mapúa through iLIFT is also accredited by Pearson VUE, both static and mobile, enabling the delivery of certification examinations for more than 500 globally recognized credentials, including those from Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, Oracle, and other leading technology providers.

In addition, Mapúa is accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Provider, authorized to conduct approved CPD activities such as training programs, webinars, seminars, workshops, and related learning interventions.

Specialized Professional Academies

To support career advancement and professional specialization, Mapúa iLIFT has established several industry-focused academies designed to address the evolving needs of various sectors. These include:

• Project Management Academy
• Cybersecurity Academy
• Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) Academy
• Language Academy (Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, and English)
• Data Science Academy
• Digital Transformation Academy
• Energy Academy

These academies provide learners with targeted upskilling pathways aligned with industry demands and emerging workforce requirements.

Innovation and Educational Advancement

In support of the University's vision of becoming a global leader in education, Mapúa iLIFT has introduced several innovative initiatives, including:

• Development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) courseware and microcredential learning modules
• Creation of market-responsive microcredential programs focused on emerging technologies and future-ready skills
• Development and implementation of Flexible Modular Programs to promote accessible, learner-centered education

Through these initiatives, Mapúa iLIFT continues to drive innovation in lifelong learning, professional development, and industry-aligned education.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND PLACEMENT PILLAR

The Career Advancement and Placements Pillar is dedicated to preparing students for successful and meaningful careers by equipping them with the competencies, industry exposure, and professional networks required in today’s dynamic workforce. Serving as the vital link between academic learning and professional practice, the pillar ensures that students are career-ready and well-positioned to transition seamlessly into employment upon graduation.

This pillar oversees the implementation and management of the On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program across all academic programs, providing students with valuable hands-on experience in real-world work environments. In addition, it delivers a comprehensive suite of career development services, including career coaching, employability skills training, industry engagement activities, networking opportunities, and recruitment programs.

Through strong partnerships with leading organizations across various sectors, the Career Advancement and Placements Pillar creates opportunities for experiential learning, internships, and employment pathways. These initiatives are designed to develop highly competent, industry-responsive graduates who possess the skills, professionalism, and adaptability sought by employers, ultimately enhancing their career prospects and long-term professional success.

Programs and Services

• On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program

  • The On-the-Job Training Program provides students with hands-on experience in real-world work settings, enabling them to apply their academic learning in professional environments. Through partnerships with various industries, students engage in structured internships aligned with their fields of study. The program enhances their technical expertise, professional skills, and industry readiness, ultimately increasing their employability upon graduation.
  
  

• International On-the-Job Training (iOJT) Program

  • An internship program that is intended for students and graduates of various disciplines to get actual experience of how it is like to live and train in another country as student-trainee. International OJT will not only give students the best possible training, but also open a lot of doors to professional opportunities.
  
  

• Career Expo (Job Fairs)

  • The Career Expo serves as a premier platform for students and alumni to explore employment and internship opportunities with top companies and organizations. Through job fairs and industry networking events, participants gain direct access to recruiters, hiring managers, and career prospects across diverse sectors. The expo also features company presentations, on-the-spot interviews, and career guidance sessions to support students in their job search.
  
  

• Career Springboard

  • To prepare students for the evolving job market, iLIFT offers the Career Springboard that enhances their professional competencies and workplace readiness. These include:

    • Industry-Specific Information Sessions

      • Hosted in collaboration with industry leaders, these sessions provide students with insights into current job trends, career pathways, and employer expectations in their respective fields. Experts share real-world experiences and guidance to help students align their skills with industry needs
      
      

    • Career-Readiness Workshops

      • These interactive workshops cover essential career skills, including resume writing, job interview techniques, networking strategies, personal branding, and job market navigation. Students receive practical training to enhance their employability and confidence in securing job opportunities.
      
      

    • Transferrable Skills Micro-Credentialing through Coursera

      • CAPD offers micro-credentialing programs focused on developing essential soft skills aligned with the Philippine Skills Framework. Students can earn certifications in areas such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership, among others—critical competencies that complement their technical expertise and enhance their career prospects.
      
      

    • Cardinal Mentors Program

      • The Cardinal Mentors Program connects students with experienced alumni and industry professionals who provide guidance, career advice, and personal development support. Through structured mentoring relationships, students gain valuable insights into career planning, workplace expectations, and industry trends. The program fosters professional growth, networking opportunities, and leadership development, empowering students to navigate their career journeys with confidence.

    • Online Verification of Graduates(http://www.Mapúa.edu.ph/Registrar/Graduates.aspx)

      • Online facility for the verification of Mapúa graduates form Year 2005 onwards

    • Graduates Directory

      • A comprehensive list of graduates and their contact details given to potential employers for recruitment purposes.

    • In-Campus Recruitment

      • This service is available to all local and international companies who are interested in conducting in-house recruitment activity for employment and training purposes. Invitations and schedules are announced via email, SMS, phone calls, online and offline postings.

    • Job Ads Bulletin

      • This service is purposely designed to channel out employment and training opportunities to qualified Mapúa alumni and students as required by different companies here and abroad. This allows employers to post job/training requirements and invite Mapúa alumni and students to apply and fill out application form or submit resumes for advertised position. CCS events and other career-related activities are like posted online and offline.Posting Sites:
      • Offline Posting – Bulletin Boards & Electronic Panels (Intramuros & Makati Campus) Online Posting – Careerlink, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, and Mapúa Alumni Portal

    • Resume Book

      • A set of clear-cut resumes of alumni and graduating students designed uniformly to provide potential employers with complete information on prospect talent/s for possible placement.

INTERNATIONALIZATION PILLAR

The Internationalization Pillar advances Mapúa University's commitment to developing globally competent graduates by providing meaningful international learning experiences, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and expanding access to global opportunities. Through strategic partnerships with educational institutions, industry organizations, government agencies, and international networks, the Pillar creates pathways for students to engage with the global community while enhancing their academic, professional, and personal growth.

Serving as the University's gateway to international engagement, the Internationalization Pillar oversees the planning, implementation, and management of international learning and mobility programs. These initiatives enable students to gain global perspectives, develop intercultural competencies, and build the skills required to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and multicultural world.

Programs and Services

1. Student Exchange Programs that provide opportunities for academic immersion at partner institutions abroad.
2. International Educational Tours that expose students to global industries, institutions, and best practices.
3. Summer Programs and International Camps that promote cross-cultural learning and global collaboration.
4. Research Internships and Academic Mobility Opportunities that allow students to engage in international research and scholarly activities.
5. Language and Intercultural Development Programs that strengthen communication skills, cultural awareness, and global citizenship.
6. Global Engagement Initiatives that connect students with international peers, faculty, experts, and organizations through collaborative learning experiences.

The Internationalization Pillar works closely with local and international stakeholders to ensure that all mobility and engagement programs adhere to institutional and regulatory requirements, including compliance with policies and guidelines issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), immigration authorities, embassies, and partner institutions. This commitment ensures safe, seamless, and enriching international experiences for students.

Through the Internationalization Pillar, Mapúa seeks to expand students' horizons beyond the classroom, nurture their appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to local and global communities. By integrating international experiences into the student journey, Mapúa empowers graduates to become globally competitive, culturally agile, and socially responsible leaders in their chosen fields.