In today's fast-paced and increasingly competitive job market, students are looking for ways to distinguish themselves from other job candidates. They want to be equipped with skill diversity and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen fields and, for those already working, to advance in their careers and obtain better jobs. With traditional teaching methods falling short for some, how can higher education institutions (HEIs) meet these demands? The [global study](https://www.instructure.com/en-au/resources/ebooks/2022-state-student-success-engagement-higher-education-philippines?filled?utm_source=UNQS&utm_medium=PR&CampaignID=7013m000001NmEwAAK&filled): 2022 State of Student Success and Engagement in Higher Education in The Philippines, conducted by [Instructure](https://www.instructure.com/en-au?utm_source=UNQS&utm_medium=PR&CampaignID=7013m000001NmEwAAK), the maker of Canvas [LMS](https://www.instructure.com/en-au/lms-learning-management-system?utm_source=UNQS&utm_medium=PR&CampaignID=7013m000001NmEwAAK), reveals that skill competency is the most important factor in defining student success for Filipino students and administrators (92%), and 68% of students want more technology use in fully in-person courses. Students, educators, and administrators have also given higher importance to work readiness (90%), and holistic development (90%) as factors that impact student success. “We are seeing a new generation of students looking for a wider variety of affordable options to upskill or enter the workforce faster. By offering short courses and micro-credentials, universities can not only respond to the needs of these students but also meet the expectation of employers across different industries that value skills and competencies over traditional degrees,” said Harrison Kelly, Instructure regional vice president for Asia Pacific. Instructure’s study also highlights the availability of internships and externships (96%,) the use of educational technology (95%,) and hands-on instruction (94%)  as some of the top factors that contribute to student success. With a shift in mindset that student success is not solely determined by academic performance, HEIs are thus expected to provide a holistic educational experience that nurtures students' personal and professional development. As such, HEIs are now being challenged to adapt to these changing expectations and embrace innovative, flexible, and experiential learning approaches to help students achieve their goals. “In the past, Filipino students put more value on graduating with a degree. They viewed it as a pathway to secure good employment. But now, they wanted a way to improve their lives that includes having the skills and competencies to be able to work abroad and eventually migrate,” said Dr. Caroline Enriquez, President at Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), during the "[Going in-depth on the State of Higher Education](https://www.instructure.com/en-au/resources/webinars/going-depth-state-higher-education-asia?filled?utm_source=UNQS&utm_medium=PR&CampaignID=7013m000001NmEwAAK&filled)” webinar. Local Higher Education’s New Directive Most state colleges and universities have followed the advisory of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to return primarily to face-to-face learning; however, this does not mean that the use of technology in the classroom should be deprioritized. On the contrary, some of the leading universities in the country understand the importance of continuing to offer students flexibility and accessibility and are using their [learning management system](https://www.instructure.com/en-au/product/canvas/higher-education/lms?utm_source=UNQS&utm_medium=PR&CampaignID=7013m000001NmEwAAK) to improve participation, engagement, and communication in and beyond the physical classroom. Some private universities, such as [Ateneo de Davao](https://www.instructure.com/en-au/resources/webinars/hyflex-learning-post-pandemic-campus-philippines?filled?utm_source=UNQS&utm_medium=PR&CampaignID=7013m000001NmEwAAK&filled), have opted for hybrid education, which is an evolution to a student-centered model where learning happens on different platforms, on-demand, with easier access for all, and focuses on the development of specific skills.  Coined by the university as “future-proof education,” this allows greater flexibility and personalized learning experiences, as students can work at their own pace and engage with the material in different ways strengthening their critical thinking, creativity, communication skills, and collaboration.  “In order to help students achieve their goals and thrive in their future careers, HEIs need to adjust to evolving expectations and adopt creative methods of teaching that support lifelong learning for students and meet the needs of a workforce with [skills-based hiring](https://hbr.org/2022/02/skills-based-hiring-is-on-the-rise) on the rise,” Kelly said. While Instructure’s study reveals that 76% of the participants in the Philippines responded that they want to take some of their courses as a combination of in-person and online, more HEIs are investing in education technologies such as Learning Management Systems (LMS,) to centralize and manage course materials, assignments, and assessments, making it easier for both students and teachers to access and share resources, anywhere, anytime, and to allow institutions to make informed decisions based in data and analytics provided by the LMS. “The challenge for HEIs today is to address the gap between what their curricula provide and what industries actually need. HEIs must be able to help their students graduate with the correct skills, prepare them for their chosen careers, and develop them holistically.  It should be an integrated approach to set their students up for success,” Dr. Enriquez said. The fact that institutions have been able to capitalize on the opportunities arising from the accelerated digital transformation ignited by the pandemic is a positive sign of progress. In the post-pandemic era, the definition of student success will evolve alongside advancements in education technology, and the capability of HEIs to adapt to these dynamic trends will be key to staying relevant and maintaining and increasing their enrollment.