Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) and the Institute of Management Accountants, Inc. (IMA) formally launched their partnership on Oct. 9, 2026, during the ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding signing and program orientation held at the Audio-Visual Room of the Fortune Towne Campus.
Hosted by the College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA), the partnership will give students a pathway to the globally recognized U.S. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential, along with more opportunities for students and faculty alike.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an photos
In her message during the signing ceremony, CBMA Dean Nenette Padilla urged students and faculty to take advantage of the opportunities resulting from this collaboration between the two institutions.
As part of the partnership, IMA will offer three CMA scholarships every year for top accounting and finance students, along with two scholarships for lecturers.
Representing IMA Asia Pacific was Hanilore Fabul, Assistant Manager for Partnerships and Chapter Relations. Fabul thanked CHMSU for becoming one of the institute’s 44 active partners in the Philippines.
She shared that IMA currently works with higher education institutions in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Singapore, among others, with active local and student chapters.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an
Beyond scholarships, this partnership will bring industry talks, workshops, joint seminars, and research collaboration to CHMSU, all to help students build careers that are ready for the world stage.
The partnership was facilitated by the BS in Management Accounting Program, led by Chairperson Kenrose Laguyo, in collaboration with the BS in Accountancy Program under Chairperson Geofrey Rivera.
Meanwhile, Fortune Campus Executive Director Ruvy Tuble said the partnership also expands the horizons of students from other programs in CHMSU. Her speech was delivered by Administrative Officer Ligaya Fuentes.
The activity was co-facilitated by the Center for Internationalization and External Relations, represented by Fortune Towne Campus Coordinator Elvina Causing and Information Officer Keith Brandon Cari-an.
After the ceremonial signing, BSMA students joined Fabul in a program orientation at the covered court. An in-depth info session was also held on Oct. 10 with the officers of the Society of Young Management Accountants (SYMA), led by IMA Chapter Directors Vince Velasquez and Paul Lanuza.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an
