The College of Hospitality and Institution Management (CHIM) of Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) continued to strengthen its internationalized academic offerings with the second session of the Philippine-Australia Cross Education in Hospitality (PACE) Extension Pathways: From Classroom to Career held on 17 October 2025 at the San Lorenzo Hall, OLFU Valenzuela City Campus.
The event was mounted in partnership with the Australian Academies Group (AAG) and gathered third- and fourth-year students for a comprehensive industry-aligned learning session.
The activity, following its opening day on October 10, forms part of OLFU’s sustained efforts to embed international articulation and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) into its curricula.
Through PACE, students are given the rare opportunity to have their academic units recognized by Australian institutions—allowing them to convert OLFU coursework into an Australian diploma, pursue advanced studies abroad, and gain access to global work prospects.
Dean Cordova: One Curriculum, Multiple Global Outcomes
Opening the session, Dr. Ignacio C. Cordova Jr., Dean of the College of Business Administration and CHIM, emphasized the transformative impact of the PACE initiative in equipping students for global mobility while studying in the Philippines.
Introduced in 2017, PACE was designed as a unique model of international credentialing that allows students to earn Australian credits without enrolling in a separate external curriculum.
“You don’t need to spend millions to study abroad,” Dean Cordova remarked, noting that PACE integrates Australian qualifications directly into OLFU programs through formal RPL systems. He underscored that the system ensures both current students and alumni retain full academic value for their earned units, which can be converted into recognized Australian diplomas.
Dean Cordova also expressed appreciation to AAG for offering scholarship opportunities that remarkably lessen the overall conversion cost, an amount that may otherwise exceed one million pesos in value when undertaken independently.
He highlighted success stories of OLFU graduates who have already transitioned to employment and further study abroad under the PACE model, with many paving the way toward potential Australian residency.
“PACE is proof of concept,” he affirmed. “From business to hospitality and beyond, it continues to expand and elevate student futures by connecting the OLFU curriculum to global opportunity.”
AAG Outlines Study-to-Work Mobility Pathways
The learning session, facilitated by Belinda Fernandez, Ingrid Ursua, and Ed Ursua of AAG, provided students with detailed guidance on the structured pathways available under PACE. Among the programs discussed were:
- PACE Program (via eVersity): Integrated within the OLFU curriculum, offering foundational exposure to Australian academic practice, training systems, and industry standards.
- PACE Conversion Program (via Australian Academy of Higher Professional Learning): A short, 4–6-week conversion leading to an Australian diploma. This pathway is particularly advantageous for students seeking rapid qualification and immediate international work experience. Opportunities include paid professional placements in New Zealand with projected monthly earnings of Php110,540.
- PACE Extension Pathway (via Australian Institute of Hospitality and Management): A longer-term 6–24-month track that culminates in advanced diplomas and grants work rights in Australia.
The AAG team additionally presented a full conversion roadmap designed to usher students smoothly from academic coursework to verified international credentials and employment opportunities abroad.
In her closing remarks, Prof. Mary Ann A. Donato, Assistant Dean of CHIM, described the continuous improvements to PACE as a reflection of OLFU’s long-term vision for its graduates—to not only succeed locally but to build meaningful professional lives overseas.
“This program was conceptualized so you could build a future beyond the Philippines,” she said, urging students to embrace the rigor and discipline required of the program. She acknowledged that some may find PACE demanding but reminded them that its challenges correspond to the strength of the opportunities it leads to.
“No other institution in the Philippines provides a pathway like this,” Donato emphasized. “Dream big, work for it, and take the chance while it is being offered to you.”
A Curriculum Designed for Global Relevance
The PACE initiative demonstrates OLFU’s commitment to internationalizing its academic framework, not as an add-on, but as a structural element embedded into its degree programs. The model ensures that a single OLFU education can yield multiple international career outcomes, supported by industry partnerships, credential recognition, and modern curricular design.
As the program gains momentum, more OLFU students and graduates are expected to transition from local classrooms to overseas professional landscapes—affirming the University’s mission to provide education that transforms futures on an international scale.
Story by Raymond Lumagsao
