THE Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Isla Lipana & Co./PwC recently launched a learning and experience hub to bridge academia and industry needs.

“It will not just serve as a hub for student internships. I am very confident that this hub will set a standard for how we approach learning and professional development through collaboration. Through this hub, it will be easier for students to apply their knowledge in real-life situations” PUP President Manuel Muhi said.

PUP said the hub will offer paid internships to students from various programs including accountancy, engineering, human resource management, hotel and restaurant management, and business administration, among others.

Students will gain training under experts and senior partners of PwC to apply their academic knowledge to real-world scenarios in the workplace.

The hub will also open job opportunities for neighboring communities for PWDs, senior citizens, and out-of-school youth, promoting inclusivity and equity in all endeavors of PUP and PwC.

PwC said that the partnership “is worth investing in for their firm.”

“This is the first in the history of our firm, the first time in the history of our country. This is a big investment for our firm. PwC has always hired graduates from PUP,” PwC Chairman Emeritus Rick Danao said.

“PUPians are talented but don’t have egos, and they don’t feel entitled. Because of that, they work honestly and depend on nothing but their individual talents,” he added.