In the coming academic year, students from the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Engineering (COE) will train with 15 partner companies and institutions, following the ceremonial signing of internship memoranda of agreement (MOA) on May 16 at the Engineering Theater, Melchor Hall.
Representatives from 15 host training establishments (HTEs) attended the ceremonial signing: Accenture Inc., Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies Inc., Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Forest Products Research and Development Institute, DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute, ELS Consultancy and Management Inc., Epson Precision Philippines Inc., Ferrotech Steel Corporation, Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, JCV & Associates Project Management and Development Inc., Lycopodium (Phils) Pty. Ltd., Manly Plastics, Inc., Menarco Development Corporation, SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation, Techfactors Inc., and WPH Digital Pte. Ltd.
The students will be assigned to the HTEs with which UPD currently has active MOAs.
Under each MOA, the University will send a set number of highly qualified students to the HTE, who will provide 180 to 320 hours of “practical and related work” in the area of specialization of the student interns. The MOAs serve as guides and provide a set daily allowance during their internship.
The University will designate internship advisers, orient the interns and their parents/guardians about the rules and regulations, proper attitudes, and behavior inside the HTE, and monitor the attendance, activities, and performance of the interns during the program.
According to COE Associate Dean for Public Engagement Eric Augustus J. Tingatinga, aside from the 15 HTEs in attendance, the college has invited some 45 more HTE partners for this year’s internship program. They are expecting to field some 400 student interns for AY 2024–2025.
In her message, COE Dean Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling emphasized the importance of complementing the University’s technical instruction with skills like communication and professionalism. “These are not easily taught in the classroom, but they are what often make our graduates stand out,” she said.