 |
| L-R: De La Salle Lipa Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academics – College Dr. Nerissa Lucasia,De La Salle Lipa Chancellor Dr. Teodosia Merlin Suarez, AsiaWorld Hospitality Managing Partner Lissa Sheker, AsiaWorld Hospitality Sales Solutions Specialist Cristina Seril (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) and AsiaWorld Hospitality formalized a strengthened partnership through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held last August 28, 2025 at the DLSL Boardroom. The event gathered key representatives from both institutions, underscoring their shared commitment to advancing hospitality education through globally recognized training and certifications.
Present from AsiaWorld Hospitality were Managing Partner Lissa Sheker, Sales Solutions Specialist Cristina Seril, and Master Trainer Manny San Luis while representing DLSL were Chancellor Dr. Teodosia Merlin Suarez, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academics – College Dr. Nerissa Lucasia, College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (CIHTM) Dean Evangeline Necio, Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Internationalization Dr. Sheila Maloles, Institute for Professional Advancement and Continuing Education (iPACE) Director Dr. Lanie Santos, Director of External Linkages and International Relations Grace Sanchez, and CIHTM program chairs. In her message, Sheker expressed gratitude for the collaboration, emphasizing its transformative potential for learners, stating, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks not only the beginning of a formal collaboration but also a shared vision to empower learners with globally recognized micro-credentials that meet the evolving demands of the hospitality and tourism industries worldwide. Thank you, De La Salle Lipa, for recognizing the importance of lifelong learning and for being an active partner in transforming education. We look forward to a fruitful and impactful journey together — one that will open new doors and create meaningful opportunities for learners and the industry alike.”
CIHTM Dean Necio shared how the partnership builds on a collaboration that began in 2018 when DLSL first adopted the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) program. Since then, over a hundred students and faculty have earned the credential, enriching their skills and enhancing employability in the global hospitality industry. She explained, “In this digital era, we aim to provide students not just with excellence, but with standardized excellence recognized worldwide. CGSP equips our graduates with a competitive advantage and a credential they can proudly attach to their name.” She also noted the program’s integration with the College’s Student Internship Abroad Program, further aligning DLSL’s hospitality curriculum with global industry standards. In her closing remarks, Dr. Lucasia highlighted the partnership’s role in shaping future-ready professionals, stating, “Beyond technical competence, we value adaptability, creativity, and a genuine spirit of service — qualities essential to meeting the industry’s ever-changing demands. Through this MOA and MOU signing, we open doors for joint programs, expert exchanges, and the sharing of best practices, ensuring that our students’ training aligns closely with industry needs.”
With the partnership now official, this opportunity will extend CIHTM’s reach beyond the wider Lasallian community, the greater Batangueño region, and extend it to the world, as the micro-credentials will be offered through the DLSL Institute for Professional Advancement and Continuing Education. This initiative further reinforces the institution’s dedication to delivering differentiated and impactful programs that bring world-class education closer to home.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
