Cebu Pacific has entered into a landmark partnership with De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila to train and mentor the next generation of Filipino aviation engineers. The collaboration is seen as a major step in strengthening the country’s pool of technical talent for the aviation industry.
The five-year partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the airline and the university. Under the initiative, selected DLSU engineering students will be immersed in Cebu Pacific’s operations through its Design Engineering Program. The program provides participants with the chance to work alongside CEB’s engineering and fleet management experts in creating innovative solutions tailored to the airline’s needs.
Projects under the program will focus on areas such as smart systems for aircraft maintenance and sustainable mobility solutions within the carrier’s facilities. These initiatives will not only support Cebu Pacific’s operational efficiency and sustainability goals but also serve as thesis or capstone requirements for the participating students.
“This partnership invests in more than projects — it invests in people. By guiding young engineers to innovate with purpose, we are building the future of Philippine aviation together,” according to Shevantha Weerasekera, CEB Vice President for Engineering and Fleet Management.
For the pilot run of the program this year, 25 engineering students from DLSU have been selected. Cebu Pacific emphasized that this marks its first formal partnership with a university aimed at embedding real-world airline experience into higher education. The airline also revealed plans to expand the program to more schools in the coming years as part of its commitment to developing homegrown aviation professionals.
The collaboration with DLSU complements Cebu Pacific’s broader efforts to cultivate Filipino talent in the sector. In May 2025, the airline introduced its OFW Balikbayan Program, an initiative designed to encourage Filipino engineers working abroad to return to the Philippines and contribute their knowledge and expertise to the local industry.
Industry observers note that the partnership comes at a time when the global aviation sector faces a growing demand for skilled engineers to support expanding fleets, evolving aircraft technologies, and sustainability initiatives. For the Philippines, which is positioning itself as a regional aviation hub, such collaborations between academia and industry are seen as critical in addressing future workforce needs.
By linking classroom learning with practical airline experience, Cebu Pacific and De La Salle University hope to inspire a new generation of engineers who will play a key role in shaping the future of aviation in the country.