World Citi College: Changing the business of higher learning

MANILA, Philippines - To many, the words “business” and “education” do not mix and may even seem out of character. But for Arlyn Guico, president of World Citi College (WCC), there’s a synergy between the two words that has created — and eventually expanded — a college that is now dedicated to the Filipino professional. With five campuses, a wide range of courses, high-tech laboratories and campus facilities, and an impressive Integrated Management Systems (IMS) certification, the WCC has the right formula for the serious student who wants to make the most of his potential.

Running a 100-bed hospital and a nursing school was the farthest thing from her mind. It all started in 1985 when Arlyn and her husband, Ramon Guico Jr., bought the then Quezon City Medical Center and Colleges. “I saw the potential of the property as a good real estate investment. Actually, I was just hoping to resell and make a profit,” she says.

When the EDSA revolution came, the real estate market plummeted, and nobody was buying. The Guicos thus had no alternative but to run the business. When Mr. Guico was unexpectedly called to serve the government, Mrs. Guico, then 32 years old and with six children in tow, was left to manage the dilapidated institution. The process was painstaking.

In 2001, with its commitment to serve and provide students with the fundamental and practical education needed in today’s times, the Quezon City Medical Center and Colleges was renamed World Citi Inc. Its twin institutions are now known as World Citi Medical Center and World Citi Colleges (WCC).

“Aside from nursing, we also offer degrees in pharmacy, biology, chemistry, physical therapy, medical technology, radiologic technology, nutrition and dietetics as well as psychology,” she says. They also offer courses in midwifery respiratory therapy, health aide, and medical transcription, with many of their graduates topping their respective board exams.

This constant desire for improvement and innovation increases the college’s ability to help its graduates become more aware of who they are, and what they can do to achieve their own dreams. The WCC’s system in quality management, environmental management, information and security management, and health and safety management, meet and adhere to stringent international standards. Every year, a licensed International Standards Organization (ISO) representative audits if they are qualified for another year of certification.

Nothing embraces evolution more than bringing the younger generation into the business. Guico’s youngest son, Patrick, now handles the day-today operations of the school. Having graduated from the Southern New Hampshire University with a degree in psychology, he explores what needs to be done from deeper, more student-oriented point-of-view. The college mottos are his brainchild — “Educating without borders, moving the Filipinos within global reach, and developing world citizens.”

“We want our students to be known as a man of character — a world citizen, as we call it,” explains Guico. She quotes national hero Jose Rizal. “Study, study, and think over well what you have studied. Life is a serious matter. It goes well only for those who have intelligence and heart.”

“We needed funding so we approached Plantersbank. Their view in building a nation — not just the business — certainly matched our own philosophy,” she enthuses. This is good partnership. “We now have five campuses,” Guico adds. “The capitalization for the schools came from Plantersbank — they are big schools. We have Plantersbank to thank for that.”

They certainly get more than a well-deserved A+. Aside from their main campus in Quezon City, WCC now also has campuses in Antipolo, Caloocan, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan, Guico’s province.

The college also includes nursing, hotel restaurant and management, tourism management, medical radiologic technology, rehabilitation sciences, medical technology, pharmacy, arts and sciences, information technology, business administration, accountancy, elementary and secondary education, criminology and graduate school program to the list. They now also have courses in aviation for flight attendants and aircraft mechanics. For more information on WCC courses and their campuses, visit www.worldciti.edu.ph