Alfredo Tolentino

The University of the Philippines (UP) and FUJIFILM Healthcare Asia Pacific have established the UP-Fujifilm Asia Pacific Healthcare Learning Academy (UP-FAHLA) Center for Advanced Healthcare Informatics to provide specialized training in digital healthcare technologies through medical imaging certificate courses.

Photo Courtesy of Fujifilm.

Instituted through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on March 27 the UP-FAHLA Center aims to upskill healthcare and information technology (IT) professionals through certificate courses in basic healthcare informatics, medical imaging informatics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools such as digital pathology and three-dimensional (3D) pre-surgical planning.

UP Manila UPM Chancellor Michael Tee said that the partnership supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to expand education in radiation technology in state universities and colleges.

“This is part of our response to President Marcos’ instruction… to offer (an) undergraduate program for radiation technology in UP Manila and other state universities and colleges. This upskilling program will help ensure that our future faculty are kept abreast with… technology,” Tee said.

UPM will also offer three certificate courses starting in May 2025, including digital imaging and medical informatics, intermediate picture archiving and communication systems, and an advanced medical informatics course to be led by faculty from Thailand’s Mahidol University.

FAHLA was established in 2019 and has existing centers in Malaysia and Thailand, founded by FUJIFILM Healthcare Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd, a medical systems company offering solutions in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), digital x-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy, and AI-powered diagnostics.

The company partners with universities to deliver structured training in medical imaging and informatics and to collaboratively develop and deliver structured medical educational workshops.

The UP-FAHLA Center marks its first hub in the Philippines and aims to strengthen the country’s role in digital healthcare education across the Asia-Pacific region.

It is expected to foster innovation, boost expertise in digital healthcare transformation, and redefine education, research, and innovation for the region.