IBM and Angeles University Foundation (AUF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of a services science university curriculum that will support the nation’s specialized human resource needed in the services industry.

Under the Service Science, Management and Engineering (SSME) Collaboration Program, IBM is helping AUF to develop high end research, case studies and curriculum for incorporation or supplementation of the university’s degree offerings.

"The SSME Program is both timely and relevant given the explosive growth in the Philippine service sector, and the status of the country as a global outsourcing powerhouse. We fully subscribe to the vision of SSME's proponents and, as the leading higher education institution in the region, we are well equipped to support this initiative," according to Atty. Joseph Emmanuel L. Angeles, President of Angeles University Foundation.

AUF is one of a handful of autonomous universities in the Philippines located in Angeles, Pampanga. The university recently garnered the triple crown of IQUAME certification, PAASCU accreditation, and ISO certification. It is also one of only nine Centers of Excellence in Information Technology Education in the country and will soon be offering the groundbreaking Doctor of Information Technology program on November 7, 2009.

“IBM is working with universities here and around the world, like AUF, to better prepare a workforce that is not only knowledgeable about the interconnection of IT and business, but also able to apply these skills across all industries and sectors,” said James Velasquez, Country General Manager, IBM Philippines. “It will help differentiate the Philippine’s competitive position globally by increasing the level of our future graduates’ service skills and capabilities.”

SSME is an academic discipline designed to develop the skills required in an increasingly services-based global economy and brings together ongoing work in computer science, operations research, industrial engineering, business strategy, management sciences, social and cognitive sciences, and legal sciences to develop the skills required in services-led organizations.

The agreement was signed by AUF president Atty. Joseph Emmanuel Angeles and IBM Philippines country general manager James Velasquez and was witnessed by Mr. Raul Rodriguez representing the Commission on Information Communications and Technology (CICT).

Following an earlier MoU between IBM, Commission on Information Communications and Technology (CICT) and Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), a Steering Committee was established by the three parties (IBM, CICT, and BPAP) to oversee the effective implementation and development of SSME program in the country. AUF automatically becomes a member of the committee.

The Angeles University Foundation is also part of IBM's Academic Initiative network - incorporating Websphere and Rational courses into the school's curriculum.