Philippines – De La Salle University (DLSU) and GCash have partnered to launch the NextGen Tech Builders Program, an industry-designed fintech engineering elective aimed at strengthening tech talent development, according to the two organisations.
The elective brings real-world technology practices into the university classroom, giving students exposure to the tools used to build and run large-scale digital platforms.
DLSU’s Term 1 classes began on 3 September 2026, marking the start of the new offering. From this term, DLSU undergraduate students will gain hands-on experience with the technologies and development practices used by GCash to build and operate its platforms, the companies said.
The elective forms part of a broader collaboration between the university and the fintech firm. Beyond classroom instruction, the program combines academic learning with practical work, including a fintech capstone project in which students apply what they have learned to real-world challenges.
Ahead of the term, DLSU students joined a forum introducing the new elective and its fintech track. Ding, a DLSU alumnus and member of the GCash Cadetship Program Batch 2023, spoke at the forum, sharing a career journey and experience in the fintech sector to give students a firsthand look at industry opportunities.
Through the program, students are expected to learn technologies commonly used in modern fintech development, including Java, Spring Boot, cloud computing, and microservices. GCash said it will provide course materials and cloud-based laboratory environments to give students hands-on exposure to fintech industry practices and systems.
The initiative builds on GCash’s existing technology cadetship model, extending that industry training into the university curriculum. According to the companies, this is intended to give students earlier exposure to the skills and practices they can expect to use in their future technology careers.
“DLSU is committed to preparing our students not only with strong academic foundations but also with the practical skills and industry exposure they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving technology landscape”, said DLSU College of Computer Studies Dean Dr Ethel Ong.
“Through this collaboration with GCash, we are creating opportunities for our students to learn directly from industry practices and better prepare for meaningful careers in fintech and technology”, Ong added.
Students who complete the elective will also have access to fast-tracked pathways into technical roles at GCash, according to the companies, creating a direct link between their academic experience and potential career opportunities.
For GCash, the partnership is described as part of its broader commitment to developing the talent needed to support the country’s growing digital economy. By working closely with universities, the company says it is helping strengthen the pipeline of Filipino technology professionals while bringing industry experience closer to the classroom.
“Technology talent is critical to the continued growth of the digital economy, and we believe that developing that talent should begin well before students enter the workforce”, shared Mynt Chief People Officer Robert Gonzales.
“Through the NextGen Tech Builders Program, we are bringing our industry experience into the classroom to help students build practical, relevant skills and create a stronger pipeline of locally trained fintech engineers”, Gonzales added
Overall, the NextGen Tech Builders Program reflects a closer connection between university education and industry practice, according to DLSU and GCash, giving students the opportunity to develop specialised fintech engineering skills while still in school.
