Twenty-seven of the 32 interns chosen for the House of Representatives’ (HRep) Strategic Mentoring and Research Training (SMART) Internship Program are from UP Diliman (UPD).

Of the 27 interns from UPD, 26 are from the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) and one from the College of Science (CS).

The HRep brief described the SMART program as a pathway internship program that offers career development opportunities “to individuals through appreciation policy development, familiarization with the legislative process, and purposive mentorship by HRep officials and employees.”

Further, SMART program is anchored in succession management. “It recognizes succession planning in governance as a valuable mechanism to promote institutional continuity and sustainability. Its mentorship component fosters the development of competencies for entry positions in the HRep,” the brief stated.

HRep implemented the SMART program for the first time and employs an active approach to talent recruitment by partnering with academic institutions.

The 32 interns that composed the pioneering batch came from UPD, UP Visayas, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Trinity University of Asia, and the University of Santo Tomas.

At the SMART program launch on Aug. 15 at the HRep Women’s Legislature Lounge, UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II gave a message to the participants and guests.

Other government officials present at the event were House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Committee on Accounts Chair Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, who both gave inspirational messages, and Secretary General Reginald S. Velasco who gave the opening remarks. All three were SMART program proponents.