THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines Visayas forged a partnership with SM or Shopping Center Management Corporation for a one-year internship program.

A memorandum of agreement was signed by UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano and SCMC Vice President for Human Resources Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay.

Under the agreement, UPV students will undergo on-the-job training and internship at SM City Iloilo.

An industry supervisor from SM will be assigned to do the following – be a mentor to the student-interns; give student-interns course-related work assignments; and expose them to learning experiences on actual operations and management, among others.

An allowance, equivalent to 75 percent of the regional minimum basic rate within the agreed period of assignments, will also be given to the student-interns.

“The job market is dynamic and cruel; this partnership is so welcome. This kind of engagement is very welcome,” Camposano said.

The UPV official also stressed the ability to produce top-notch graduates in the university cannot be achieved if they simply rely on their own programs, mechanisms, and resources.

“We also need to create opportunities for students to be exposed to (the) industry to have an edge. This prior exposure before graduation allows them to adapt, to be mentally agile, and to learn from the professional world,” Campomano said.

“UPV is a part of the Iloilo growth story as it pursues milestones and has paved the way for other cities in the country to follow, and we want to be a bigger part of that,” he said.

For his part, SM City Iloilo mall manager Gilbert Domingo said collaboration is an affirmation of SM’s commitment to help in bringing progressive communities.

Domingo added they are also eager to help qualified students and participate in the mall’s internship program and career sessions and are thankful for the partnership with UP Visayas.

“We welcome the immersion of students who wish to learn how jobs are done at the mall and in the corporate industry,” he furthered.

Witnessing the signing of MOA were UPV Student Affairs Director Prof. Agustin Huyong, and Human Resources Head of SM City Iloilo Irene Caumban.

Also a signatory was Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Philip Ian Padilla.