THE CONSERVATORY of Music of the University of Santo Tomas forged a partnership agreement with the Big Ben International Academy of Music and Performing Arts for international internship programs.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by UST Music Dean Dr. Antonio Africa in the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta last week.

Representing BBIAPAM were its managing director, Hidajat Firdaus, and academic director, David Saraza. The signing was witnessed and hosted by Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina Jamoralin and Vice-Consul Glenn Teh.

Through the MOU, deserving music graduates from UST will have an opportunity to have their on-the-job training in Jakarta and thereafter qualify for the London College of Music Teaching Diploma.

Qualified interns will be at the Big Ben International Academy of Music and Performing Arts for six months on an all-expenses-paid program that will see them performing teaching tasks.

“The new program is an exciting opportunity for Music interns and fresh graduates, whose skills in performance, theory, and composition, among others, will be tested,” UST quoted Africa as saying.

He said the implementation guidelines will be formulated after the agreement has been formalized.

“The partnership officially brings the London College of Music Examinations of the University of West London to the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music,” Africa said.

“With this, the London College of Music annual face-to-face examinations in the Philippines may now be held inside the UST Conservatory of Music, a first for any university in the country,” he added.