- Mapua University inaugurates its School of Tourism, Hospitality and Management (STHM) with AI, AR/VR, and tech-driven curriculum
- Offers BS in Tourism Management and BS in Hospitality Management aligned with national tourism agenda
- Partnerships with Seda Hotels and international immersion programs to prepare globally competitive, future-ready professionals
Mapua University, a century-old institution with varied and technologically equipped academic programs, inaugurated its School of Tourism, Hospitality and Management (STHM). This addition aims to equip upcoming professionals with an innovative, technology-enhanced curriculum, complementing the Philippines' national tourism thrust and responding to the industry's anticipated post-pandemic boom.
This also paves the way towards possible opportunities both domestically and internationally. The STHM grants Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management and Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degrees. They are designed to address the increasing needs of a global industry that is expected to undergo great expansion over the next few years.
"With a long-term experience in innovation and technology, Mapua University created the School of Tourism, Hospitality and Management to expand our globally competitive academic offerings and further establish ourselves as a world-class innovative education institution committed to developing future-proofed professionals", STHM dean Dr. Lora Lee Reboton said.
This move is also aligned with the national agenda, which identifies tourism as a prime driver for the Philippine economy. Through offering premium, relevant education, we are able to address the changing needs of this dynamic industry while equipping students for successful careers based on operational efficiency and good customer service. Aside from its solid legacy in engineering education, Mapua's focus on state-of-the-art technological advancements permeates its wide range of academic programs, with STHM leading the way.
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"Innovation lies at the heart of STHM's vision, particularly through the fusion of technology and digitalization", explained Reboton. "We do this by initially equipping our students with a strong appreciation for digital competency and its real-world applications to education. Our programmes will be taught through cutting-edge technological tools to support learning experiences, providing learners with a contemporary, real-time view of tourism and hospitality".
"This means students will navigate diverse and interactive learning environments, preparing them to be tech-savvy leaders in the industry. A cornerstone of STHM’s approach is its integration of artificial intelligence (AI), preparing its students and graduates for the modern workplace and for global competitiveness. Technology is deeply embedded in Mapua’s DNA, and this extends to our new STHM programs”, Reboton said. Both the B.S. Hospitality Management and B.S. Tourism Management curricula shall be infused with AI and other innovative advancements in certain courses. Such infusion is carefully planned to encourage innovation in product development and improve the effective delivery of services, keeping our students ready for the future of the business. She further stated that the objectives of AI integration in Mapúa education are to process things efficiently, make knowledge even more accessible, and organize the systems at their optimum.
Students should anticipate AI-powered learning spaces, the application of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), and wearable technology, all supplemented by gamification to engage and personalize learning. Outside of the classroom, STHM students will benefit from valuable real-world exposure through strategic alliances with industry titans such as Seda Hotels and revolutionary international immersion experience in Europe, Australia, North America and Asia.Mapúa's entry with STHM is a step forward in hospitality education, bridging academic excellence and technological innovation to develop a workforce capable of redefining the face of global tourism.
