- January 1, 2025
Mapúa MCL shapes globally competitive professionals with 80% Employability Rate as per World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) Survey
Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL) continues to exemplify its commitment to building globally competitive professionals, as confirmed by the results of a comprehensive employability assessment conducted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. This rigorous survey confirmed Mapúa MCL’s outstanding employability rate, with 80% of graduates securing jobs within six months of graduation.
In its pursuit of continuous improvement, Mapúa MCL engaged IFC to conduct this employability study to enhance the educational experience and career readiness of its graduates. Acknowledging the competitive job market and the evolving demands of various industries, the institution sought an objective evaluation from a globally recognized entity like IFC to ensure its academic programs align with labor market needs. The insights gained from IFC empower Mapúa MCL to produce graduates who are not only highly employable but also equipped with the skills and competencies essential for meeting the current and future demands of the workforce.
The IFC’s Vitae Employability Assessment evaluated several key dimensions of Mapúa MCL’s academic and career services, including curriculum relevance, employer engagement, career and placement services, and alumni involvement. A standout finding from the survey is the institution’s effective engagement with industry partners. Mapúa MCL maintains active Program Advisory Panels (PAP) that provide valuable input on curriculum development. This close collaboration with industry is a critical factor in the high employability rate of Mapúa MCL graduates.
The report also highlighted that a significant portion of alumni—88%—are employed in fields related to their degree programs. In addition, 94% of current students expressed confidence that their education at Mapúa MCL would help them reach their career goals, underscoring the institution’s focus on both academic excellence and career readiness.
Mapúa MCL’s collaboration with the IFC not only reinforces its transparency but also positions the institution as a leader in the Philippine educational landscape. By continuously improving its employability initiatives, Mapúa MCL remains dedicated to transforming its students into professionals who are competitive on a global scale. Assistant Vice President for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL) Prof. James Ronald Mesina shares that the findings of the IFC study confirms that 5-star rating of Mapúa MCL in employability in Quacquarelli Symond’s (QS) STARS which the institution recently retained following its first entry in 2019.
Through strategic partnerships and a clear focus on the needs of the labor market, Mapúa MCL is living up to its mission of shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators. The Director of the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), Ms. Pearl Stephanie DL. Ulep, emphasizes the institution’s commitment to delivering educational programs that prepare students for success in their chosen careers by collaborating with industry leaders, actively engaging with employers, and understanding their needs.
While Mapúa MCL has demonstrated exemplary performance, scoring well above global benchmarks across various dimensions, the institution remains committed to growth and innovation. To enhance career services, Mapúa MCL is focusing on providing more tailored support for its students and alumni by offering upskilling opportunities and fostering alumni engagement in mentoring current students. The institution is also expanding employer engagement by developing micro-credentials in collaboration with industry partners and enhancing work-integrated learning opportunities for students. By implementing these strategies, Mapúa MCL can further its mission of transforming students into globally competitive professionals and maintain its impressive employability rate.
IFC has commended Mapúa MCL’s highest survey turn-out in the survey. The Assistant Vice President for External Relations and Global Linkages, who concurrently heads the Alumni Center lauded the alumni for cooperating in this study and for being transparent about their professional career journey. Prof. Mesina stressed the importance of employability as one of the value propositions of Mapúa MCL saying “When students and parents chose Mapúa MCL for their Senior High School and College education, it is premised on trust that the school can deliver an academic preparation that is at par with global standards. Hence, we encourage the alumni to share valuable feedback on how their Alma Mater can boost the career placement and employability strategies.”
The institution is considering the following recommendations of IFC:
- Adopt best practices in employment data collection and analysis
- Expand employer engagement mechanism
- Improve career services provision to students and alumni
- Develop an alumni outreach strategy for career development
- Enhance relevance of teaching and learning
Prof. Mesina added that “There is no perfect career services program. While we are happy with the employability ratings of the Mapúa MCL, there are a lot of things to do and improve. We want the programs to be more inclusive and touch-base with our students and graduates who need support on job hunting and placement; and the long-term strategy for career development.”
Students and graduates who are needing career placement support are encouraged to give us feedback through the Career Services Advising Portal, or via email: [email protected].
