Cebu City, Philippines—The University of Cebu (UC) inked a Memorandum of Agreement with IBM to enhance its Computer Science and Engineering programs and provide free AI training through IBM SkillsBuild. The MOA includes support for UC’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with specialization in Artificial Intelligence (BSCS-AI), its latest course offering beginning the first semester of the academic year 2025-2026.
The collaboration aims to bridge the AI skills gap and prepare students for future careers in the rapidly evolving technology industry.
All UC faculty and students across its campuses, which includes the University of Cebu Banilad, Inc., University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue, Inc., and University of Cebu at Pardo and Talisay, Inc., will leverage IBM’s catalogue of AI courses and credentials through IBM SkillsBuild, IBM’s free education program aimed at increasing access to technology education.
In addition, students will have access to more than 1,000 free courses in IBM SkillsBuild as well as digital credentials, including coursework in AI fundamentals and improving customer service with AI.
This collaboration is in line with UC’s recent launch of its AI curriculum under the AInnovation Project that combines robust computer science fundamentals with practical AI applications to produce AI-ready graduates that can contribute to society. To support this, UC has invested PHP40 million in the UC AI laboratory, equipping it with state-of-the-art facilities such as an AInnovation laboratory, AR-VR room, collaboration workspaces, and robotics conference room. A VR-Simulator laboratory will initially be housed at its UCLM campus.
