The University of the Cordilleras and SM Supermalls through SM City Baguio have forged a partnership aimed at producing competitive and workplace-ready graduates and providing them career opportunities and services.
A ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement was held on June 14 at the UC Theater between UC President Nancy Flores, Vice President for Administration and Academic Services Dr. Rhodora Ngolob; and SM Supermalls Vice President Cheryll Ruth Agsaoay represented by SM Regional Manager for Human Resources Irene Peralta and SM City Baguio Assistant Mall Manager Jason Peña.
With the partnership between the industry and academe, posting of jobs and internship activities for UC students, job fairs, and availability of experts in upgrading the curriculum of UC are expected so that its students will become more equipped in industry standards that will make them more competitive.
Ngolob said aside from prioritizing and maintaining its excellent performance in Bar and board licensure examinations, UC is also strengthening its academic programs in terms of internship programs to attain its goal of having 100 percent employment for all its graduates.
“UC has a very strong internship program. In all of our colleges, it is one of our priorities since employment is one of the measurements of how we are faring in the industry. So we like also to strengthen our academic programs more in terms of internship, because there should be no graduate of UC that should be left behind,” Ngolob said.
Flores said UC is also expecting the industry partner to define the competencies, skills, and attitudes it requires of UC graduates so that the school will be able to provide what are expected of them and be able to integrate the same in its curriculum.
Agsaoay said academic partnerships are also integral to SM, as it helps us build the organization’s diversity and enhance its strategic plans in forming opportunities for the young generation.
“Through the years, top talents from your institutions have joined us, demonstrating their values and skills. By forging our partnership, we will be able to stay true to our commitment in supporting the academe by creating avenues where students can explore their passions and become the future trailblazers and leaders of our nation,” she said in a message read by Peralta.
Peralta added with Baguio being the educational center of the North, they are grateful with the partnership with UC, which is a joint commitment of support for the students’ growth and learning for them to recognize their future career and as part of enhancing SM’s community relations and corporate social responsibility.
Aside from the ceremonial signing, SM City Baguio also presented some members of the mall’s manpower who are graduates of UC and are excelling in various fields of specialization.
Peña said the mall in fact has the highest number of employees who are graduates of UC and therefore they are grateful and looking forward to the partnership. – Hanna C. Lacsamana
