SoFA and IE University Launch Academic Partnership

March 10, 2026

Over the past decade, SoFA Design Institute has established itself as one of the Philippines’ most recognized centers for creative education, dedicated to equipping students with the skills, perspective, and confidence necessary to succeed in design both locally and internationally. This vision will take a significant step forward on March 11 with the launch of SoFA’s academic partnership with IE University in Spain. With campuses in Madrid and Segovia, IE University is internationally recognized for its integration of design, business, and innovation, preparing students to become creative leaders capable of working across cultures and industries.

The collaboration will be introduced during a curated launch event on March 11 from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at SoFA Design Institute. The event is open to the public, current students, and design peers, and has been designed as a platform for creative exchange and conversation. Guests are invited to attend in casual attire. A key feature of the program is a Creative Conversation with Flabelus, a Spanish footwear brand reimagining traditional craftsmanship through contemporary design and storytelling. This discussion will be led by Pilar Oraa, International PR and Communications Director for Flabelus.

Following this, an IE University information session will be presented by Andrea Pagani, Senior Associate Director of Business Development for Undergraduates in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Joining the program are SoFA co-founders Loralee Baron Soong and Amina Aranaz-Alunan, with the morning hosted by Mads Constantino, Director for Academic Affairs at SoFA Design Institute. The event promises a curated hour of ideas, creativity beyond borders, and a shared vision for the future of design.

Through this partnership, students will gain access to international internship opportunities, immersive Spanish design tours, exchange programs, and summer school programs with IE University. These initiatives will allow students to experience diverse learning environments abroad and participate in short-term international design experiences. For aspiring creatives in the Philippines, such opportunities signify a meaningful expansion of their educational and professional horizons. Design education is increasingly shaped by cross-cultural dialogue and international collaboration, and the ability to navigate different creative communities while contributing unique perspectives is becoming a critical aspect of the modern designer’s development.

By fostering connections with institutions such as IE University and brands such as Flabelus, SoFA Design Institute is creating pathways for Filipino creativity to participate actively in global design discourse. What began as a specialized design school in Manila is now evolving into a platform where local talent meets international opportunity. The launch of this partnership highlights the potential for future students, current learners, and design peers to engage with international networks, explore new design traditions, and cultivate a global mindset in their creative practice.

Event Schedule: 9:30 to 11:00 AM, March 11

Key Participants:

Pilar Oraa, International PR and Communications Director, Flabelus
Andrea Pagani, Senior Associate Director of Business Development for Undergraduates Southeast Asia and Oceania, IE University
Loralee Baron Soong and Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Co-Founders, SoFA Design Institute
Hosted by Mads Constantino, Director for Academic Affairs, SoFA Design Institute

Opportunities for Students and Design Peers:

International internship placements
Spanish design tours
Exchange programs
Summer school programs
Additional global learning initiatives

Expanding Global Opportunities in Design Education

Design education today extends beyond the classroom. Through international partnerships and collaborative platforms, students gain exposure to new perspectives, industries, and creative communities that shape the future of design.

The partnership between SoFA Design Institute and IE University reflects a shared commitment to preparing designers for a global creative landscape. By connecting Filipino talent with international networks, the initiative encourages cross-cultural learning, professional development, and meaningful creative exchange.

Programs such as exchange opportunities, Spanish design tours, internships, and summer school experiences allow students to explore design within different cultural contexts while strengthening their own creative voice.

As SoFA continues to build relationships with global institutions and industry leaders, students are given greater access to opportunities that support innovation, collaboration, and international creative practice.

Learn more about the programs and academic pathways available at SoFA Design Institute.

Explore Our Programs

🎨 BA Fashion Design and Marketing
🏠 BS Interior Design
🛋️ BS Interior Design-Professional
📖 Workshops and Certificates
📒 Pre-College Programs
✂️ Short Courses
🖌️ Workshops

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