THE CAREER Center and Industry Relations Office of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines was named one of the country’s Model Career Centers by the United States Agency for International Development-Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development Program.

The center was recognized in a virtual ceremony attended by Dr. Richard Abendan, chief of party of the STRIDE Program; Dr. Jeffrey Garis, former director of the Florida State University Career Center; and Dr. Ambrosio Cultura II, president of the USTP System.

A Model Career Center is one that exemplifies best practices in engaging industry in career development and championing student success.

“Being a model is being of service. This has been a long time coming. You have been a model throughout these years,” Abendan said.

Garis expressed his appreciation for USTP’s innovative approach in cutting edge and new career programs.

The USTP Career Center is one of the pioneering career centers in the country. It opened in 2014.

“Perhaps the secret to the success of the establishment of the Career Center is never to lose focus on the goal in addressing jobs mismatch,” CCIRO Director Lera Fay Cotiangco-de la Rama said.

The STRIDE Program is a USAID initiative to boost science and technology research in partnership with the RTI International.