By Brett Andrew Rikke Bungcayao, StratCom Correspondent 

To improve the employability rates of automotive graduates, MMSU and Laus Group of Companies entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on September 27.

The MoU signing event was attended by MMSU OIC President, Dr. Prima Fe Franco and Alumni Relations Chief, Ms. Krismary Sharmaine Yapo. The Human Resource Director of the Laus Group, Ms. Jovita Pasco, was represented by the company’s HR Generalist, Ms. Dexie Franz Tolentino.

Faculty members from the College of Industrial Technology were also present, including Prof. Ferdinand Huenda, Department of Automotive Technology chair; Dr. Jayson Tebes,  and program chair; and Ms. Madelyn Quitoriano, vocational placement coordinator and representative of the Career Hub of the Office of Student Affairs and Services.

Dr. Franco expressed her gratitude for the collaboration with the Laus Group. “This industry partnership will enhance the employment prospects for our automotive graduates. This collaboration also allows us to provide internship opportunities for our students within various companies of the Laus Group. We are actively realizing the goals of our academia-industry partnership, which represents a significant advantage for the university,” she stated.

The Laus Group of Companies is a leader in the Philippine automotive industry, representing 11 quality car brands, including Mitsubishi, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, and Hyundai. It is known as the fastest-growing multi-car dealership network in the country.

The main beneficiaries of the said MoU are the students of the Bachelor in Automotive Technology (BAT) of the College of Industrial Technology. The partnership aims to increase the employability rate of the said degree program since based on a conducted tracer study by the Alumni Relations Office last 2020, the program remains the lowest at 63.33%.  

The MoU outlines several activities, including promoting employment opportunities for MMSU graduates, particularly those in the BAT program. It will facilitate academic internship programs, faculty immersions, the exchange of academic and industry materials, and research collaboration projects.