iACADEMY Alumni: Ar-Em Bañas Advances Global Academic Journey Through Animation and Research
iACADEMY continues to celebrate the achievements of its creative community as BS Animation alumna Ar-Em Bañas earned their Master of Arts degree with distinction from Massey University in New Zealand last April 15, 2026. Alongside this milestone, they were also awarded the prestigious Massey University Alumni Doctoral Scholarship, supporting their pursuit of a PhD this year.
A graduate of iACADEMY’s School of Design and the Arts from Batch 2018, Ar-Em’s achievement reflects the growing impact of Filipino creatives in international academic and artistic spaces. Their journey from animation student to post-graduate scholar highlights how creativity, research, and storytelling can open opportunities beyond traditional career paths.
Known for nurturing industry ready creatives, iACADEMY’s Animation program continues to equip students with both technical and conceptual skills that remain relevant in global creative industries. As the first school in the Philippines to offer an Animation program in 2007 and a recognized Toon Boom Center of Excellence in Asia, the institution has consistently encouraged students to pursue innovation, collaboration, and meaningful storytelling.
For Ar-Em, the recognition represents more than academic achievement. It reflects the years of a creative person given the dedication for growth, critical thinking, and the self-exploration in artistic spaces. These are qualities developed through project based learning and industry aligned experiences during their time at iACADEMY. Their continued academic pursuit also demonstrates how animation and design education can evolve into opportunities in research, leadership, and global creative development.
Many young Filipinos continue to face uncertainty when navigating their future careers, particularly in creative fields often viewed as unconventional paths. Stories like Ar-Em’s show how access to supportive academic communities, mentorship, and industry focused education can help students discover direction and build careers that extend beyond borders.