MANILA, Philippines – University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) is set to roll out its newest degree, the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, in the upcoming academic year.
The four-year undergraduate program is offered under the School of Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (SSE), equipping students to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems on local infrastructures and the cloud.
The curriculum rollout follows an International Labor Organization (ILO) report indicating that 12.7 million jobs in the Philippines are at risk of displacement from exposure to generative AI.
The program addresses the risk by preparing students with competencies in machine learning, data analytics, software development, AI deployment, and responsible AI governance.
First peek at the new program
In the first two years of the new degree, UA&P students will share nearly 90% of the coursework with the university’s existing programs, like Information Technology and Data Sciences.
Starting in the third year, industry professionals will bring real-world, agentic challenges straight to the classroom, allowing students to gain more hands-on experience.
Students must complete intensive laboratory modules using modern software tools and rigorous coursework in responsible AI governance, addressing algorithmic bias and deployment compliance.
The Edge computing laboratory will also provide learners with hands-on experience with real-world projects and industry collaborations to enhance their skills in the rapidly changing digital economy.
“Through rigorous immersion in AI laboratory tools, paired with UA&P’s distinct brand of liberal education and
business mindset, our graduates will possess both technical competence and ethical grounding,” said Carlo Vinoya, Operations Committee Secretary of SSE in a press release.
Opportunities await learners
A core objective of the new degree is addressing the widening domestic talent deficit for complex tech roles.
Instead of training entry-level developers for simple automation tasks, the university aims to produce “AI Architects” and applied engineers capable of building autonomous reasoning systems.
Graduates of the program can also seek opportunities in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software engineering, AI product development, and technology consulting.
Furthermore, they can also fill in-demand roles in global capability centers (GCCs), information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) companies, local conglomerates, and tech startups.
“Ultimately, we aim to produce graduates who serve as a human face to the hopes and fears surrounding this technology,” Vinoya added. (By Clyde Jan Pascual, INQUIRER.net Intern)