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Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM), two prestigious schools in the Philippines, inaugurated their Global Classrooms on May 16, 2023 for the Global Signature Courses developed in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), the most innovative university in the United States. This cutting-edge facility is intended to connect students and professors from Mapúa MCL’s Enrique T. Yuchengco College of Business and College of Health Sciences with ASU, and its partner universities from around the globe. 

The Global Classroom revolutionizes learning by using advanced technology to connect students and professionals worldwide. It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment like high-definition video conferencing systems, ceiling microphones, an instructor-controlled digital podium, and smart televisions.   The Global Classroom promotes global citizenship and cultural diversity among students of the Mapúa group by allowing them to interact with peers from different countries, share ideas based on different cultural backgrounds, and collaborate on interactive projects and researches. 

Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mapúa MCL and Mapúa MCM, stated that the Global Classroom exemplifies their commitment to producing globally competitive professionals and becoming a global center of excellence. The launch of this remarkable facility marks a significant milestone for both higher education institutions. By embracing educational innovation, Mapúa MCL and Mapúa MCM demonstrate their dedication to providing a world-class education that broadens students’ perspectives and prepares them for the future.  

On March 20, 2023, the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE) held an activity for Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s practicum students entitled Career Readiness Toolkit – another component of the Pathways to Employability program. It was attended by a total of 165 students from the College of Arts and Science, College of Computer and Information Science, E.T. Yuchengco College of Business, and Mapúa Institute of Technology at Laguna and was held at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium. This activity’s objective was to equip students with the necessary skills and tools to enhance their career readiness. It was designed to provide an upskilling session focused on building resumes and LinkedIn profiles, as well as preparing for interviews.

OSPGE invited 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 event commenced with a presentation on enhancing one’s CV or curriculum vitae, wherein Ms. Joanna imparted her knowledge on making it stand out. She offered advice on adapting the CV to the position the applicant is seeking, emphasizing accomplishments, and using active verbs to describe their experiences. Moreover, she introduced some abbreviations that assisted her in crafting her own resume that is clear and understandable by the employer. One such abbreviation is C.E.A.S.E., which stands for Character, Expertise, Achievement, Skills, and Experience.

Ms. Joanna proceeded to discuss the value of having a strong online presence in the current job market. She emphasized the importance of having a well-crafted LinkedIn profile, which acts as a professional digital resume that exhibits an individual’s skills and experience to prospective employers. The speaker also shared useful tips on creating an effective profile by selecting an appropriate profile picture and crafting engaging content for the headline, summary, experience, and skills section. Additionally, she strongly recommended connecting with the school’s alumni to enhance one’s presence on the platform.

The final session was on the topic of interview preparation, during which Ms. Joanna provided invaluable insights on how to create a lasting impression at a job interview. She placed great emphasis on conducting thorough research on the company and the job position beforehand, as well as preparing well-thought-out responses to common and out-of-the-box interview questions. By implementing these strategies, job seekers can boost their chances of making a positive impression on recruitment teams during the interview process.

OSPGE remains committed to providing support to students embarking on their practicum program through activities like this. The office strives to cultivate competent and capable professionals who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their respective fields. With its steadfast dedication to fostering student growth and facilitating engaging learning opportunities, OSPGE is well-positioned to have a positive influence on the students of Mapúa MCL and the industries they aspire to serve.

Last March 22, 2023, the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagements (OSPGE) launched an event named the Marketplace of Opportunities: iConnect, a program under the Pathways to Employability series for the students who will be and are currently taking up their practicum courses for the third term of the academic year. The event took place in the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium at the Rizal Building of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL). It was attended by more than 90 students from different programs.  

iConnect is a project developed by the OSPGE in aid and in support of the different academic colleges and departments that are required under the institution’s commitment to outcomes-based education (OBE) and contemporary teaching and learning to deliver external activities and connections. It was created to offer students a great advantage to conjoin or collaborate with prospective employers and acquire knowledge about various internship opportunities. As they progress towards their avenues to employment, we anticipate this could significantly help to advance their professional growth.  

The event is in collaboration with Mapúa MCL’s six (6) valued industry partners from different sectors. The following partnered companies from the industry sector participated in the iConnect event: Accenture, Automated Technology (Phil) Inc., Manulife IT Delivery Center Asia Inc. ChrisImm Sentimo Kumon Accounting and Bookkeeping Services, Ampleon, and TDK Philippines Corp.  

Employers from each company were granted ample time to discuss the internship opportunities of their firms. During the company presentations, employers gave the students a glimpse into the detailed process of their on-the-job training from their application up until the completion of their practicum. The preferred courses of the possible interns of the organizations, the onboarding procedure, the qualifications for internship, and the practicum benefits were a few of the major topics and important concepts that were emphasized and discussed throughout the briefings.  

The program has also served as a direct avenue of communication as students were given the opportunity to get their inquiries about the companies be immediately addressed by the company representatives who are present in the program. The floor was also opened for students to ask the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagements and the present academic program chairs regarding their questions or clarifications regarding the internal processes for internship. According to the Office, this initiative will now be implemented at the start of every academic term for students undertaking practicum classes. 

Ms. Pearl Stephanie D. Ulep, Strategic Partnerships Officer of OSPGE discussed the process of initializing partnerships with companies to help the students plan for the upcoming Midyear Term where several programs will have the internship course. OSPGE also assured the students that several iConnect sessions will be held to assist the students and partner companies who are host training establishments.  

Last March 13 to 16, 2023, university leaders met in Bangkok, Thailand for the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2023 Conference and Exhibition. More than 2,700 delegates from different educational institutions, solution providers, and education advocates gather at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in downtown Bangkok for the first ever in-person APAIE conference after the pandemic.  

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa  MCL) was represented at the APAIE 2023 by Assistant Vice-President for External Relations and Global Linkages, Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina. The purpose of Mapúa MCL’s participation to the event is part of its continuing efforts to build its presence in the Asia Pacific region; explore institutional partnership opportunities with universities and organizations in the region for possible collaboration; and participate in the discussion of best practices in internationalization, outcomes-based education, and digital education.  

Prof. Mesina highlighted that Mapúa MCL is stepping up its internationalization efforts this year. By collaborating with universities in neighboring countries in the Philippines, it promises a push to promote student and faculty mobility, offer micro-credentialing programs, and engage in collaborative research with universities in Asia. 

In the message for the participants, APAIE President Sarah Todd sounded off the Association’s thrust of representing one of the most diverse regions in the world. Ms. Todd stressed that diversity is evident not only in the geography, culture, lifestyles, and language, but also in its higher education. The approaches to, and stages of, the internationalization of those higher education systems are also varied and many. APAIE is proud to play a role in facilitating conversations and partnerships across the region, while also providing an opportunity for colleagues around the world to learn more about this exciting region and develop sustainable partnerships with institutions across the Asia Pacific.  

For Mapúa MCL, the vision and direction of APAIE is aligned to the strategic plans of the institution specifically on heightening research, development and innovation, advisory and consultancy capabilities to be a credible international player; and broadening international dimension of school operations to global norms.  

The next APAIE Conference and Exhibition will be held on March 2024 at Perth, Australia. 

In an effort to explore prospective opportunities for partnership on micro-credentialing programs, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) looks at prospective partners who could share best practices in developing and implementing this program. 

Assistant Vice-President for External Relations and Global Linkages Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina visited Thailand’s King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) last March 17, 2023 along with several university leaders who just attended the Asia Pacific Association for International Education Conference and Exhibition. 

The group was welcomed by KMUTT’s Vice-President for Internationalization Dr. Pornapit Darasawang. During the welcome program, Dr. Darasawang presented the history of KMUTT and its journey towards being one of the top universities in Thailand and in Asia. KMUTT’s openness to other Asian universities for collaboration and partnership was stressed during the visit.  

The KMUTT team also toured the participants in several groups such as (1) Outcomes based-education practice: Institute of Field Robotics, where they presented their comprehensive strategy for equipping their students with robotics and automation knowledge and skills, while also establishing an environment that fosters the development of valuable competencies; (2) KMUTT4life: Micro-credentials program, their new business model which aims to revolutionize education by providing a flexible, bite-sized, and personalized approach to learning that can be tailored to the specific needs of learners and can also serve as a lifelong learning; and (3) SDG Policy: Carbon Neutrality 2040, wherein they discussed how KMUTT strives to meet the energy and climate challenge by year 2040 through different steps they’re proactively taking such as using energy-efficient appliances, utilization of renewable energy, and green area expansion.  

University officials presented the KMUTT Micro-credentialing department where more than 600 courses and certifications are offered and implemented worldwide. The department handles end-to-end conceptualization and development of micro-credentials that are recognized worldwide.  

Prof. Mesina highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships for internationalization to prepare the stage for Mapúa MCL’s global presence. As part of the strategic directions of the institution for the next 10 years, international accreditations must be maintained and in so doing, collaboration with universities in the ASEAN is important emphasizing the commonality of the culture and development journeys of most institutions in the region. The Office for External Relations and Global Linkages will be collaborating with potential ASEAN university partners and KMUTT is one of these. 

KMUTT is ranked #801 to 1000 in the World University Rankings in 2023 (source: Times Higher Education); #246 in the QS Asia Rankings; and between 201st to 300th in the Impact Rankings for the year 2022 (source: Times Higher Education). It specializes in the degree and graduate programs in the fields of Arts, Humanities, Science, Engineering, Education, Business, Economics, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. 

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) is a 3-star rated institution of the Quacquarelli Symonds in 2021.  This is a testimony of Mapúa MCL’s achievements in instruction, research, employability, and facilities in the past several years. 

Last November 8 to 10, 2022, Mapúa MCL participated in the Higher Education Summit of the QS Asia Pacific. This was held at the Intercontinental Hotel Pondok Indah, Jakarta Indonesia and was co-hosted by the Universitas Indonesia and the Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.  It was attended by more than 2,000 participants in over 100 countries in the world.  

The theme of the Summit is “The Next Big Thing: Addressing new Opportunities and Existing Challenges in the APAC Higher Education”. It marks the comeback of the face-to-face event after the pandemic and the organizers are very thankful for the warm reception of the universities to the QS APAC invitation. 

Mapúa MCL was represented by Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina, Assistant-Vice President for External Relations and Global Linkages; and Dr. Hermie V. Articona, Director of the Research Promotion and Coordination Office. 

Prof. Mesina describes “QS Asia Pacific Higher Education Summit as a good opportunity for universities and higher education institutions to strengthen their reputation and presence in the Asia-Pacific region. It also provides a venue for universities to collaborate and share best practices in the areas of international cooperation, research, outcomes-based education, industry-academe linkages, and digital education.” 

In the area of research, Dr. Articona sees the QS summit as a venue for Mapúa MCL to introduce its institutional research thrusts to other universities, build network, facilitate sharing of resources for research, and explore collaborative opportunities, which are all deemed crucial in creating more impactful projects not only in the local level but in a global scale.  

Mapúa MCL is geared to renew its QS rating for 2024 to make it more competitive and adaptive to the global norms of digital and outcomes-based higher education.  

On March 29, 2023, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Business Certification, Inc (GBCI) hosted the Leadership in Energy and Environment (LEED) in Southeast Asia Series in Dusit Thani Manila in Makati, Philippines. The series includes an Exclusive Panel Discussion with different field professionals including Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (Mapúa MCL) President and Chief Executive Operator, Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo.

The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from GBCI’s Associate Director for Marketing Development, Mr. Rohith Ravula. The panel discussion focused on Building Design, Construction, and Performance Monitoring for Higher Efficiency towards Net Zero. Zero-Energy Buildings or Net Zero Buildings are infrastructures with no net carbon emissions during its construction and operation. During the Exclusive Panel Discussion, Dr. Maestrecampo explained why Mapua MCL opted for a LEED education. He said, “Mapúa Malayan Colleges is a professional higher education institution that specializes in acquiring knowledge and skills in a specific profession. Our strategy is to produce triple-threat graduates who finish college with a broad education in the form of a bachelor’s degree but is also armed with these three critical outcomes such as (1) engagement in several long-term projects, (2)

extensive work experience through an academically linked internship and on-the-job training, and (3) an industry-recognized credential.”

Mapúa MCL is the first school in Southeast Asia to subscribe to LEED learning modules. Dr. Maestrecampo mentioned that “Incorporating LEED learning modules into our curricula will allow our students to qualify for LEED certification. And through our partnership with US Green Building Council and LEED-certified consultants, we can provide opportunities for students to engage in long-term sustainable building projects, including working with companies on real-world projects that aim to achieve LEED certification, hitting all the outcomes of our triple-threat approach. Furthermore, we need to instill the sense of social responsibility and a culture of sustainability to empower the future generation of workforce to become responsible leaders and citizens of the world.“

The other panelists, Ms. Charmaine Uy, the President & COO of Daiichi Properties; Mr. Darneil Perez the BA Director Places & Country Director of ARCADIS Philippines; Mr. Eric John C. Enriquez, the VP -Megaworld Premier Offices from Megaworld Corporation; Ar. Kristina Samantha Pobre, the Sustainability Manager of ArthaLand Corporation; and as well as the panel moderator, Mr. Gopalakrishnan, the Managing Director of Green Business Certification Institute Pvt. Ltd. shared their experiences and expertise, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort in practicing sustainability and developing net zero buildings. They also discussed the importance of performance monitoring to ensure that buildings continue to operate efficiently over time.

High greenhouse gases emission and the lack of sustainability are some of our world’s biggest issues nowadays — and Mapúa MCL being a part of discussions like these truly proves that the institution will constantly strive to contribute solutions to our society’s problems with excellence and virtue.