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The Thought Leadership Series, a prominent program under the Pathways to Employability, returned with resounding success after a hiatus since 2020. Held in a hybrid setup, the event brought together 80 participants onsite and connected with an additional 150 attendees online on May 8, 2023.

The Office for Strategic Partnership and Global Engagements invited Dr. Geoffrey Nnadiri, a distinguished of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna alumnus. Graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Nnadiri shared inspiring insights on “Building Professionals in the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) World.”

As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges and uncertainty, Dr. Nnadiri’s talk provided a breath of fresh air and much-needed inspiration. Drawing from his own experiences and professional journey, he shared invaluable wisdom that resonated deeply with the audience.

Addressing the global responsibility context, Dr. Nnadiri highlighted the transformative goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasizing that every individual has a role to play in shaping a better world. To succeed in such an unpredictable environment, the Mapua MCL Alumnus stressed the importance of strategic thinking, preparedness, and collaboration.

Dr. Nnadiri urged the audience to strategize. In a world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, professionals must adopt a strategic mindset. By setting clear goals, developing actionable plans, and adapting to changing circumstances, individuals can navigate the ever-evolving professional landscape with confidence and purpose.

Being prepared is another crucial aspect highlighted by Dr. Nnadiri pointing out the value of continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends and advancements. Professionals who actively seek knowledge, refine their skills, and anticipate potential challenges are better equipped to handle the unexpected and seize opportunities as they arise.

Collaboration is vital in VUCA world according. Dr. Nnadiri shared that there is power in collective intelligence and significance in building strong networks. By fostering collaboration, professionals can tap into diverse perspectives, leverage complementary strengths, and collectively tackle complex problems that transcend individual capabilities.

Furthermore, the speaker who is currently working as Solutions Consultant in Hilti Philippines explained the need to be problem solvers. In a rapidly changing world, the ability to analyze challenges, think critically, and offer innovative solutions is extremely useful. By cultivating a problem-solving mindset, professionals can proactively address issues, drive positive change, and contribute to the success of their organizations.

While the VUCA world presents its share of challenges, Dr. Nnadiri reminded the audience to find joy in their work. “Have fun at work,”. Engaging in activities that bring enjoyment and foster positive work environment not only enhances productivity but also nurtures a sense of fulfillment and well-being. By finding a balance between work and play, professionals can create a harmonious and rewarding professional journey.

As the session drew to a close, Dr. Nnadiri left the audience with a poignant reflection: “In volatility, gain value. In uncertainty, gain understanding. In complexity, gain competence. In ambiguity, gain clarity and direction.” These words encapsulated the essence of his talk, urging everyone to navigate through challenges and transform adversity into opportunities for growth.

The Thought Leadership Series served as a remarkable platform for practitioners to share their journey and experiences with future professionals. Dr. Nnadiri’s insights on building professionals in the VUCA world provided valuable guidance for the students, equipping them with knowledge and motivation to navigate the complexities of the modern professional landscape.

By Angeline Ruth J. Bermil and Avril Samantha Zoe P. Diño

On May 12, 2023, the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagements (OSPGE) of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) organized a plant visit and learning tour at the Caliraya Hydro-Electric Power Plant (CHEPP) in Lumban, Laguna for students from the Mapúa Institute of Technology at Laguna or MITL Department. As part of OSPGE’s led program titled “Pathways to Employability”, the activity aimed to promote career readiness and placement for the students of the institution.

Mapúa MCL’s OSPGE is committed to implementing programs and learning activities that intend to expose students to the real professional world, therefore providing them with real-world learning experiences that will help prepare for future careers as well. By giving students the opportunity to participate in this type of extracurricular activities, students are allowed to gain hands-on experience, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the workplace of their chosen fields, and grow in a professional setting.

CBK Power Company Limited (CBK PCL) has gladly granted the ocular visit request of the institution and warmly accommodated a total of 41 MITL students of different year levels, specifically from Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, joined by the Program Chairs of Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering themselves, namely Ma’am Maria Carmela Capul and Sir Alex Atienza respectively. The students, faculty, and staff members were then given brochures of the company and were lent much-needed protective equipment after registration, particularly hard hats for protection against falling, flying, and overhead objects. They were also given ear plugs to protect one’s hearing from loud machinery. The plant tour program started later with an opening ceremony led by the executives of CBK who welcomed and introduced the Mapúa MCL students to the official CBK team.

There are also safety precautions that must be strictly observed such as taking photos within certain parts of the premises is not permitted. Through the plant tour, students from diverse backgrounds, each with their unique profession and career path, have had the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge about power plants that could prove beneficial for their future endeavors. OSPGE has fulfilled their mission of contributing to the solution of industry’s and society’s problems by the expert application of knowledge yet again. For this reason, a token of appreciation was given to the executives of CBK by the Assistant Vice-President of External Relations and Global Linkages, Prof. James Ronald Mesina.

By Angeline Ruth J. Bermil

On May 11, 2023, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagements (OSPGE) invited B.A. Broadcasting Alumna from the Class of 2017, Ms. Jouelle Hannah Nerveza, for its second-day event of the Thought Leadership Series session with the theme of Building Professionals for Sustainability and Climate Action held at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium.

During an interactive talk led by Ms. Nerveza, a comprehensive presentation was delivered on sustainable development, a concept that focuses on meeting present-day demands while safeguarding the needs of future generations. The significance of addressing the seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations was also discussed, aligning with the overarching theme of the event. The discussion emphasized the criticality of making sustainable decisions and implementing them to ensure the preservation of the planet’s ecosystems and the continuity of our current way of life. Failure to take proactive measures may jeopardize humanity’s ability to thrive and coexist harmoniously with the environment.

Sharing personal life experiences, Ms. Nerveza shed light on the career paths in the field of sustainability, which eventually led to her current role at SGV and CCaSS (Climate Change and Sustainability Services). With an extensive background as a Sustainability Practitioner, she also previously held positions such as Programme Officer of the National Ecolabelling Programme – Green Choice Philippines (NELP-GCP) starting from May 2017. She also contributed her expertise to the Capacity Building and Training Project under the Advance SCP (Sustainable Consumption and Production) Project of GIZ Thailand.

During the discussions on the journey towards sustainability, the focus was placed on SGV’s vital initiatives, including the SAVE Council (Sustainable Actions for Value Creation and Enablement). The primary objective of this council is to promote and integrate sustainability practices across the entire company. In conclusion, Ms. Nerveza encouraged the Mapúa MCL community to take steps towards sustainability by highlighting the numerous ways in which individuals can utilize their expertise to lead sustainability efforts.

By Angeline Ruth J. Bermil

On June 27, 2023, the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagements (OSPGE) held the second Marketplace of Opportunities: iConnect event. This program is a component under the Pathways to Employability series, tailored to cater to students who are in the process of or are about to start their practicum courses for the Midyear Term of the academic year. The event took place in the third-floor rooms of the Einstein Building of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL).

The event was attended by around 60 students from different college departments and programs such as Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Multimedia Arts, and Mechanical Engineering. iConnect was made in collaboration with Mapúa MCL’s five (5) valued industry partners from different sectors. The following partnered companies from the industry sector participated in the iConnect event this June of 2023: Continental, Crimson Hotel, KooApps, Manila Broadcasting Company, and Studio Hibang.

Employers had the chance to talk about internship opportunities at their companies. They shared details about the training process, starting from the application to the completion of the internship. Important topics like preferred courses, onboarding, qualifications, and benefits were highlighted during the presentations. The program also provided a direct way for students to communicate with company representatives. Students were able to ask questions about the companies, as the representatives were present to respond.

At the end of the discussion, Ms. Pearl Stephanie D. Ulep, the Strategic Partnerships Officer of OSPGE, explained how partnerships with companies are established to support students in preparation for the upcoming terms, which includes internship courses. Additionally, students had the opportunity to seek clarifications from the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagements and the academic program chairs about the internship’s internal processes. OSPGE will continue to conduct programs such as iConnect sessions to further provide assistance to both students and partner companies serving as training establishments.