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Last January 27, 2023, the Office for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL) hosted the Career Fair 2023, a job search event that is part of the Pathways to Employability. This was held in E300 Rooms at the Einstein Building and was a major event of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) 17^th Foundation Week Celebration.

The Career Fair 2023 was open to all Mapúa MCL students and alumni who are looking for career development and internship opportunities. This program places particular emphasis on efforts to provide assistance for graduating students and alumni with their career planning and development. More than 600 participants registered for the event where they were provided with a wide range of opportunities, some of which they would not have pre-considered, and provide them the chance to simultaneously interact with several employers.

Employers from each company were given the chance to conduct a brief presentation during the program to inform the prospective applicants about the profile and background of their company, job opportunities, and an overview of positions aligned to each of MMCL’s academic programs.

As part of the program, Mapúa MCL has also invited LinkedIn Asia’s Enterprise Account Director, Cliff Meng Adora, to give the students a talk through a hybrid setup via Zoom learning session on understanding the importance of LinkedIn and how they will be able to amplify their own personal brands. MMCL is in collaboration with LinkedIn which is acknowledged as the world’s largest professional platform. Through this partnership, students are granted access to hundreds of expert-led courses and are also empowered to engage with a massive network of experience.

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Anthony Hilmer Medrano welcomed the participants with the statement about the renaming of MCL into Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna. Engr. Medrano emphasized that this milestone will further push the institution’s commitment to deliver the Mapúa brand of excellence in education in the region.

In addition, Engr. Medrano said that “This is part of our mission and vision, MCL aims to be a global steeple of excellence in professional education. We strive to deliver not only in terms of offering our students a degree. As we all know, companies are evolving, and we need to narrow the gap between the industry and the academe. We have to innovate our offerings so we can narrow that gap.”

Assistant Vice President for External Relations and Global Linkages, Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina gave the rationale in relaunching the Pathways to Employability stressing the need to strengthen the industry-academe collaboration to make outcomes-based education (OBE) work, and for both sectors to produce value out new talents who can contribute to nation-building. Prof. Mesina expressed MMCL’s sincere gratitude for the industry partners’ active participation and meaningful engagement since 2007 to support the students and graduates’ integration into the professional workforce.

MMCL presented a token of appreciation to twenty-one (21) industry partners who collaborated with the institution for Career Fair 2023. These are:

1. LinkedIn
2. Hino Motors Philippines Corporation
3. Fasttrack Solutions Inc.
4. Toshiba Information Equipment (Phils.), Inc.,
5. Monark Equipment Corporation
6. RCBC – Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
7. Continental Temic Electronics (Phils) Inc.
8. Accenture Inc.
9. Kooapps Philippines
10. Ampleon Philippines
11. Optodev, Inc.
12. The Bellevue Manila
13. Automated Technology (Phil.) Inc.
14. Amherst Laboratories, Inc.
15. Makati Development Corporation
16. Monde Nissin Corporation
17. Navarro Amper & Co.
18. Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna
19. Laguna AAAWater Corporation
20. Seda Nuvali
21. Fluor Daniel Inc.

In line with the 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED), the entire Mapúa MCL community will be conducting an Earthquake Drill on March 9, 2023 (Thursday) at exactly 2:00 PM. All MCL students, faculty members, and employees are encouraged to participate in the “Drop, Cover, and Hold” procedure.

The Senior High School (SHS) years are a critical time in a student’s life when they need to make important decisions about their future careers. Choosing the right career can be a daunting task, especially when there are so many options to consider. To help their students make informed decisions about their future careers, the Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s Center for Guidance and Counseling (Mapúa MCL CGC) in collaboration with the SHS department’s advisers and coordinators organized the SHS Career Week, a week-long event that aimed to provide guidance and support for their students.

The SHS Career Week, which ran from February 6 to 13, 2023, was the first face-to-face event of its kind after two years of celebrating it online due to COVID-19 restrictions. The event offered a wide range of activities and events that were designed to help students explore different career options, gain a deeper understanding of their strengths and interests, and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Throughout the week, students were given the opportunity to attend career talks, where they could learn about a variety of careers and listen to professionals share their experiences and insights. The talks were attended by Mr. Reynard Leo Francisco and as well as all the college departments in Mapúa MCL, namely the College of Arts and Science (CAS), College of Computer and Information Systems (CCIS), E.T. Yuchengco College of Business (ETYCB), Mapúa-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (Mapúa-PTC CMET), and Mapúa Institute of Technology at Laguna (MITL). Additionally, Mapúa MCL-SHS alumna, Maru Joi Pasion, Emmanuel Santos, Jr., Charmaine Eunice Rabano, Job Lipat, and Reginald Lunar also joined the event with their talks about their college life.

Aside from the career and college life talks, students also participated in the Career Dress-up event where they were able to dress up as their future professional selves, helping them visualize and aspire to their dream careers. They also had the chance to participate in a career booth competition and a career class pictorial, allowing them to showcase their creativity and engage with other students.

The week-long celebration culminated in an awarding ceremony where students were recognized for their hard work and efforts in the week-long event. The ceremony was an opportunity for the school to acknowledge and celebrate the dedication of the students in their pursuit of their future careers.

Mapúa MCL CGC and the Mapúa  MCL-SHS department’s efforts to help students plan for their futures and become globally competitive are an integral part of the school’s commitment to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for success in the workforce. Through events like the SHS Career Week, the school is empowering its students to make informed decisions about their future careers and become future leaders in their respective fields.

Overall, the SHS Career Week was a resounding success and a testament to the school’s commitment to providing Excellent Mapúa Education in the area, having provided Mapúa MCL-SHS students with opportunities to explore different career options while gaining valuable insights into the professional world.

 

On November 12, 2022, the Office for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL) together with the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE), was joined by a total of 53 volunteers from both the Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) college and alumni community for the tree-planting activity, One Tree at a Time, in support of Sustainable Development Goal #15, Life on Land.

A “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now into the future” (United Nations) is what Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in a nutshell. The SDGs are made up of 17 interconnected goals that intend to make sure that people will continuously enjoy what planet Earth has to offer. This call to action believes in the importance of sustainability in eradicating poverty, improving health and education, reducing inequality, and igniting economic growth.

SDG #15: Life on Land, aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and forests. With the drive and commitment to help achieve this global goal, OERGL reached out to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Sta. Cruz, Laguna to conduct a tree-planting activity in contribution to the National Greening Program mandated by

Executive Order 193, s. 2015 that targets to plant 1.5 billion trees from 2011 until its expanded coverage in 2028.

The volunteers were also assisted by the Siniloan Tenured Migrants’ Association, who helped clean up and prepare the site. Marissa Cepeda, one of the members of the people’s organization, said that initiatives such as this truly help the different communities surrounding the area and beyond, especially when a typhoon hits. A total of 500 seedlings, composed of bignay and kasoy, were planted by the student and alum volunteers.

The locale of the tree-planting is in one of the 68 protected areas – Siniloan, Laguna, where Mount Romelo sits. It is at the southwest border of the Sierra Madre mountain range which is known for stabilizing the soil and water flow and being the buffer of several provinces and cities from being greatly affected by calamities.

CSCE Director, Ms. Jocelyn Bellin, shared, “CSCE remains committed to upholding these SDGs because it has a trickle-down effect on the other equally important goals.” She also added that community engagements should always be anchored on the key elements of the Sustainable Development Goals.

These goals will only remain as goals if not acted upon. Mapúa MCL shall continue to both perseveringly promote these goals and be a dedicated and dependable part of the action towards achieving them.

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) has always been committed to promoting social responsibility and community service to its students, employees, faculty members, and alumni. Therefore, before concluding the year 2022, the project titled, At the Frontlines of Social Responsibility: Christmas Community Engagement Series was activated – a series of service-learning and community service activities in Mapúa MCL’s adopted communities in collaboration with the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE) and the various departments.

Volunteers composed of students, employees, and alumni conducted their first Christmas community engagement since the pandemic, at Barrio Pasbul, Porac, Pampanga last December 17, 2022.

Assistant Vice-President for Strategic Partnerships and Global Linkages, and concurrently the Director of the Alumni Center, Prof. James Ronald Mesina shared that this project started in 2015 when some alumni and student volunteers visited the community for a Christmas Outreach. It was followed by several community engagement activities in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

The Aetas community in Pasbul, Porac, Pampanga is located within the 10-kilometer danger zone of Mount Pinatubo. They were displaced during the volcanic eruption in 1991 but chose to remain in their ancestral lands years after. The community has nearly 200 families in the three (3) sitios: Cuyucot, Liplip and Patal.

From December 7, 2022, students, alumni, employees, and faculty members signed up and volunteered to be a part of the spirit of giving by donating their 3Ts – time, talent, and treasure. Overall, 60 volunteers joined the engagement itself along with over a hundred donors who supported the activity through their in-kind and financial contributions.

To make the day more productive and eventful, each volunteer was assigned to a team with assigned community service tasks. The team in charge of the program conducted several games involving both the volunteers and the Aeta children. This encouraged everyone to connect and interact with the members of the community even more. An unforgettable time was shared with everyone and at the same time, the children had a lot of fun earning and winning various prizes from the donations.

Each committee efficiently collaborated during the engagement. While the games committee were entertaining the Aeta children, another team was appointed to prepare the packed donations that were distributed to the families of the community in Barrio Pasbul. Each pack contained rice, eggs, canned goods, and other easy-to-prepare food products that can basically fulfill the primary needs of an average Filipino family.

The food committee, on the other hand, prepared a filling and bountiful lunch in which all ingredients were from donations of people both inside and beyond the Mapúa MCL community. The meals were then served by the volunteers to the local community. Lunchtime was a communal moment because not only was food shared together as stories about the community’s interesting culture, traditions, and history were learned upon by the volunteers as well.

Mapúa MCL always makes sure to align its community engagements to the Sustainable Development Goals. For this community engagement, the institution aimed to incorporate SDG #2, Zero Hunger and SDG #3, Good Health and Well-being. While projects such as this aren’t immediate solutions to these societal problems, to do it consistently and passionately is always a step closer to achieving it.

 

by Reinhold Gabriel Catangay

As classes began to revert to face-to-face set-up, schools started preparing to welcome their students back with renewed commitment and hope. Throughout the years spent in lockdown, and finally being offered to participate in face-to-face sessions, this year’s school opening has been greatly anticipated by both students and school facilitators.  

The Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE) will stand as the liaison between Malayan Colleges Laguna, A Mapúa School (MCL) and its external partners by implementing the strategic response which focuses on upholding its services to provide better footing for those in need. Gisgis and Galalan Elementary Schools in Barangay Galalan, Laguna are just some of MCL’s beneficiaries over the years.  

Prior to the pandemic, Gisgis and Galalan ES, both under Mr. Rodante Cadsawan Pañoso’s guidance, were exclusively invited to participate in MCL’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last 2019. Last August 5, 2022, the MCL CSCE team, led by its Director, Ms. Jocelyn T. Bellin, visited Galalan Elementary School to hand out school supplies such as notebooks, intermediate pads, books, and pencils. Umbrellas and water tumblers were given as well, which included those for the Gisgis ES. 

During the visit, Ms. Jocelyn T. Bellin, Director of MCL CSCE and Mr. Rodante Cadsawan Pañoso, Head of Gisgis & Galalan ES School, conversed about the challenges the schools faced and are currently facing due to the health crisis. Due to the place being secluded, and schools being situated on high land, internet connectivity proved to be challenging in trying to keep up with the online learning environment.  Despite the limitations, Mr. Pañoso and his co-teachers conducted house-to-house visits and delivered the modules to their students themselves every Monday and collected them at the end of the week. Another strategy proven to be effective was the help of local barangays in securing the modules in the Barangay Hall where the parents were able to retrieve it at their own convenience. Thanks to their effort, both Gisgis and Galalan ES have a zero (0) percent student dropout rate. 

 

The CSCE then visited the Panguil River Eco Park (PREP) to discuss how the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with MCL-CSCE can be renewed under the new local government leadership. From solar panel lights created by MITL students in 2020, the CSCE has identified other projects which can be integrated into future SL (Service–Learning) and CE (Community Engagements) initiatives. One of these is establishing a well-organized web page for the eco–park and organizing a learning session on the advantages of using solar panels, among others.  

With the possible meeting with LGU Pangil’s newly elected mayor, Mayor Gerald Aritao, the MCL CSCE team hopes to find a common ground with the local municipality in furthering its goal of developing a strong commitment to civic engagements to actualize the advancement of a prosperous and better opportunity for the local community. 

Last July 8, 2022, the Malayan Institute of Technology in Laguna (MITL) held its webinar for the Industry 4.0 Thought Leadership series entitled “Engineering the Future Workforce”. 

July 8th brought a day of inspiration and information among the future Engineers as guest speakers   Engr. Meg Anne Santos, Sustainability Campaign Manager at Plastic Credit Exchange; Integrated Micro Electronics Inc. Project Manager, Engr. Benson Briones; Northrop Gruman Corporation, Electronic System and Marine System Division Consultant, Engr. Estelito Mamuyac; and Senior Applications Engineer from Lattice Semiconductors, Engr. Wendel A. Basbas headed the panel during the roundtable discussion with Engr. Ria Grace Abdon, Chemical Engineering Faculty for Mapua Institute of Technology at Laguna as the moderator. The forum then started with a jovial opening remark from the then Dean of the Mapua Institute of Technology at Laguna, Engr. Orlando G. Perez.  

“The world is rapidly changing,’ Engr. Santos stated in her discussion, “and as Engineers must be adaptable and agile to the changing world…..we must remember that tech is not made to replace people, it only means that we are actioned to manage people better; it is meant to make peoples’ lives and jobs better.” she added as she concluded her presentation about the 9 Pillars of the 4.0 Industry.  

In fully adapting Industry 4.0, Engr. Mamuyac concurs that the government must continue and ensure, together with the education sector, that future Engineers will not be left behind in their innovation in the industry. Engr. Basbas and Engr. Briones heightens the need for professionals immersed in collaboration and with organizational skills who continue to push the limits of the field in order to be fully capable of taking on the demands of the professional working industry.  

In the final leg of the Thought Leadership series, MITL Students’ Jillsen Jastillana and Justine Casuyon hosted the roundtable discussion.  

Building professionals, not only based on the foundations of theoretical study but also with the grasp of the industry are what MCL continues to champion through endeavors such as the Industry 4.0 Thought Leadership Series. 

Last May 27, 2022, the College of Arts and Science (CAS) held the fourth installment of the Industry 4.0 Thought Leadership Series, titled “Adapting to the Digital World”. The webinar tackled the channels for creativity and innovation in the working industry by the invited speakers who are esteemed professionals in different fields.  

Animation Council of the Philippines Board Member and Top Peg Animation and Creative Studios CEO, Ms. Marie Grace Dimaranan and Climate Change & Sustainability Senior Associate for Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV), Ms. Jouelle Hannah Nerveza headlined the series and shared their expertise and insights on two of the dominant industries that fresh graduates from the CAS department face.  

For Ms. Dimaranan, the trick of the trade lies in whether an individual can build their foundations in art and maximize the tools available for them. She also addressed the issue on traditional artists having the need to immediately change from traditional art to digital art, “there still remains a challenge both on the creative and digital aspects of being an artist,” she says, “the most important thing is to be able to show what you can do and to deliver what you have placed in your portfolio, that makes you hirable”.  

Putting a spotlight on the growing need for communication in different professional landscapes, Ms. Nerveza shifts the focus onto companies gearing towards greener alternatives in the workplace. “Communication [practitioners] are able to address, explain, monitor, and evaluate actions done with regards to environmental issues that impact the people and the economy”. For her, communication goes beyond the dissemination of information – it bridges gaps between audiences and complicated issues. 

After an inspiring and creative sharing, the series concluded for the day, hosted by 3rd Year B.A. Communication students, Ms. Yobhel Eugenio and Ms. Sheila Mae Pabingwit.  

Last May 20, 2022, the College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS) held the online webinar titled “Future Proof Your Career”. The roundtable discussion addressed the topics and issues in the industry of Information Technology, particularly in data science and data analytics.  

Leading the panel was the Vice President and Board of Trustees Member of Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), Mr. Monchito Ibrahim; the Vice President and Philippine Computer Society (PCS) Board of Trustees Member and PCS Information and Computing Accreditation Board, Mr. Francis John Francisco; Founder and CEO/CIO of Cyber Optimus Philippines Inc., Mr. Ernesto C. Boyden, and lastly, Mr. Sherwin Yap, the owner of KaiZen Robotics International who all offered not only their expertise in maneuvering the data and technology driven industry but also their shared experience as to what is the current state of the landscape demands from the incoming members of the workforce and how weaknesses and strengths can be addressed. 

“The answer in preparing our students for a future that is ever-changing is to not only stick with technical skills but also build character,” Mr. Boydon states, “The 3 important characteristics for an individual are to be Adroit, Agile, and Adaptable.” Mr. Francisco added that soft skills in line with technical skills are just as important to be learned in any industry and it starts by unlearning the undesirable habits that students have learned along the way. 

In addressing the opportunities available to the workforce of the country, Mr. Yap admitted that experiential and practical learning are key factors in unlocking the potential that this industry has in our country. Mr. Ibrahim further expounded and provided insight that a lot can be gained in the industry if the pillars, namely the government sector, the industry sector, and the academe sector, can work together in order to make these opportunities possible to both students and teachers.  

The challenge to pioneer and broaden the horizons of Industry 4.0 in the country are ripe for the taking, highlighted by the invited speakers in this series moderated by Ms. Carol Poblete from the CCIS Department and Mr. Michael James Gnilo, a 4th Year B.S. Computer Science student.