February 26, 2024 — A feature titled “Bida in Brunei: From Crew Member to Business Channels Head” shares the inspiring story of a Filipino who began his career as a crew member and rose to become a business leader. His journey reflects perseverance, passion, and the value of lifelong learning proving that success comes to those who continuously grow and seize opportunities. Stories like his resonate deeply with the mission of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), a government-recognized pathway that allows working professionals to earn a college degree through the recognition of their skills, knowledge, and work experience.
Mr. Glenard Santidad fulfilled this dream when he earned his BS-Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management degree through the ETEEAP at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in November 2023. According to Mr. Santidad, earning a college degree was truly a dream come true. Without ETEEAP, that dream would have remained out of reach. Through the program, he was able to complete his degree while fulfilling his professional responsibilities, something that once seemed impossible and an uphill battle.
The ETEEAP provides a second chance for individuals who were unable to complete their studies but have gained substantial expertise in their respective fields. By converting professional experience into academic credits, candidates can complete their degrees in a shorter period, opening more opportunities for career advancement, leadership, and personal growth. Programs like ETEEAP make success stories like Mr. Santidad’s possible empowering more Filipinos to realize their dreams and contribute meaningfully to their professions and communities.
More importantly, ETEEAP is closing the gap of educational inequality and answering the call for “Education for All.” It serves as a bridge for those who dream of earning a college degree despite life’s circumstances, empowering more Filipinos to transform their experience into recognized qualifications and meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.
