Malayan Colleges Laguna

Thought Leadership Series: Building Professionals in the VUCA World

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.

OSPGE organizes CHEPP Visit and Learning Tour

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.

Thought Leadership Series: Building Professionals for Sustainability and Climate Action

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.

Mapúa MCL participates in the 2nd SEAMEO Youth Action (SEAYA) Contest on VUCA World

By Angeline Ruth J. Bermil 

On November 25, 2022, Khaira Marie Dulongbinti, a B.S. Accountancy student from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL), was recognized as one of the shortlisted entries for the 2nd SEAMO Youth Action Contest on the VUCA World organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMO).  

With the theme of “How will our youth thrive in a VUCA world?”, the SEAMO aims to establish a motivating venue or environment for management of knowledge and experience-sharing among young people as well as individuals within the respective local regions. Along with this, the youth are encouraged to express their viewpoints and solutions with policymakers and educators consequently to ensure the region’s online educational system can become more proficient. Additionally, the youth are expected to identify the chances and difficulties that young people must deal with and capture their thoughts in relation to the VUCA World. 

The SEAMO announced the call for entries for the contest on September 16, 2022, and invited all Southeast Asian youth, ages 15 to 23, to exhibit their imaginative ideas and novel realizations. The contest was enjoined by over 123 schools in the five (5) neighboring Southeast Asian countries such are Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam, with a total engagement of 1,045 students including Khaira, a 1st year B.S. Accountancy student who represented Mapúa MCL to the contest.  

Khaira’s entry in the vlog category, titled “Going Beyond the Horizon in the VUCA World,” explores the challenges among young people’s daily lives and strategies for overcoming them. The vlog emphasizes the importance of embracing change for learning and personal development, discouraging youth from giving up when faced with sudden challenges. It also highlights the need for individuals of the same generation to remember that a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) world can be navigated through Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility (VUCA) in one’s approach to life. 

The message encapsulates the everyday moments experienced by average students who share similar struggles and are in pursuit of goals and resilience against challenges that can inspire the youth. The theme and content of the vlog resonates with many, encouraging individuals to persevere through life’s ups and downs, never wasting a single moment. This serves as a reminder to embrace the ever-evolving nature of our world and to keep pushing forward, no matter the circumstances. 

Mapúa MCL continues to push and support its students to engage in various extracurricular activities that is aligned with the institution’s mission to push the students to contribute to the solution of industry’s and society’s problems by the expert application of knowledge and be part of the empowering leaders in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world.  

 

OSPGE conducts its second Marketplace of Opportunities: iConnect

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.

Career Readiness Toolkit: Paving Pathways to Success

By: Angeline Ruth J. Bermil

On June 26, 2023, the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE) organized its second Career Readiness Toolkit – a series under the Pathways to Employability program – which is a career workshop seminar arranged to provide students applying for internships proper guidance on crafting competitive resumes and acing job interviews. The event was held in the third-floor rooms of the Einstein Building of Mapua Malayan Colleges Laguna and brought together 35 students from different programs such are Accountancy, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Psychology, Multimedia Arts, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.

The upskilling session was once again led by Ms. Joanna Pareja, a workforce development professional who is also the Program Operations Lead of National Teacher’s College (NTC), and the designated Program Lead for the implementation of PEP (Professional Education Program), EPS (Employer Partnership System) and GTS (Graduate Tracking System) across all iPeople schools.

The career readiness workshop was designed to address the specific needs of students preparing to enter the competitive job market. By focusing on two critical components of the application process — resume writing and interview preparation — the seminar aimed to equip participants with the essential skills and confidence needed to stand out among their peers.

Led by a credible professional the resume-writing session delved into the details of constructing a compelling curriculum vitae, as well as discussing the difference between a CV and a resume. Attendees were taught how to effectively showcase their academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and relevant experiences concisely and effectively. By receiving personalized feedback and practical tips, students gained a deeper understanding of how to tailor their resumes to the specific requirements of different internship positions.

By providing crucial insights and fostering self-assurance, this career readiness workshop seminar offers a transformative experience for students seeking internships and work experience. Equipped with refined resumes and polished interview skills, these aspiring professionals are constantly supported by the institution to make lasting impressions on potential employers, propelling them towards a future filled with opportunities and success.