iPeople Inc., the education joint venture of the Yuchengco Group of Companies and Ayala Corporation, is breaking new ground in higher education by making learning more accessible to both traditional and non-traditional students through its expanded partnership with Coursera, one of the world’s leading online learning platforms.

The strengthened collaboration will triple iPeople’s student reach from 15,000 to 45,000 learners annually, offering greater access to AI-powered learning, industry-recognized micro-credentials, and globally competitive skills across its six higher education institutions.

According to Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, President and CEO of Mapúa University, this initiative aims to break barriers in education, allowing individuals outside the conventional student demographic to pursue their degrees at their own pace.

“We also have fully online programs under Mapúa intended for all types of learners — both traditional and non-traditional,” Maestrecampo explained. “Traditional students are typically fresh high school graduates pursuing their degrees. But for non-traditional students — such as working professionals or individuals who haven’t completed their degrees — we now offer fully online programs that allow them to continue their education anytime, anywhere.”

This means that whether learners are fresh graduates or working professionals seeking career advancement, iPeople’s fully online programs— integrated with Coursera’s globally recognized courses — allow them to build practical and in-demand skills without compromising their personal or professional responsibilities.

Transforming learning through AI-powered tools

As part of the expanded partnership, students can now earn 20-30% of their academic credits through Coursera courses, allowing them to graduate with globally recognized micro-credentials alongside their degrees — significantly increasing their employability in both local and international job markets.

The AI-driven tools offered by Coursera include Coursera Coach, a virtual assistant providing real-time guidance to students; Course Builder, which allows faculty to design customized courses suited to the Philippine context; and AI-Driven Academic Integrity Solutions that ensure verified learning outcomes through automated grading, plagiarism detection, and graded-item locking.

Karine Allouche, Global Head of Enterprise at Coursera emphasized that as job roles continue to evolve, the demand for higher-level human resilience skills such as critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and team collaboration will become even more important.

“As some of the simpler tasks are now automated through AI, workers will be expected to handle more complex, higher-level tasks. This is why equipping students with advanced problem-solving and leadership skills is equally critical,” she added.

Empowering learners beyond conventional boundaries

The initiative reflects iPeople’s mission to make higher education more inclusive, ensuring that individuals — regardless of age, employment status, or educational background — have access to quality education.

To date, over 38,000 students across iPeople’s schools have recorded nearly 260,000 course completions and 760,000 learning hours, allowing them to build critical skills that align with current industry demands.

“We are deeply committed to providing a globally competitive, AI-enabled, and skills-based education to as many Filipinos as possible,” said Alfredo I. Ayala, President of iPeople Inc.

“By expanding our partnership with Coursera, we’re ensuring that our students, faculty, and alumni are equipped with future-ready skills and industry certifications that will set them apart in a rapidly evolving, AI-driven global economy.”

As iPeople and Coursera continue to revolutionize education, their expanded partnership stands as a game-changer for thousands of working professionals, career shifters, and lifelong learners — proving that higher education is no longer confined to the walls of a classroom.