Establishing networks has been ablaze since the Philippines relaxed COVID-19 safety protocols. One humble proof comes from Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) when its College of Business and Accountancy staged their Academe-Industry Linkages and Pathways (AILP) event last 19 November 2022 at the Sequoia Function Hall of the Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas Center, Metro Manila.
Meant to be primarily the induction and pinning ceremony for the newly appointed Advisory Board Members of the AILP, the occasion served as a very opportune time for OLFU CBA and its esteemed industry partners to reconnect, exchange views, and map out strategies.
In elaborating on the event theme, “Strengthening Academe-Industry Relational Pathways for Business and Learning Recoveries”, University President Dr. Caroline Marian Enriquez called out to the members to reconsider their relational pathways; stressing that the work-at-hand is like a marriage between the theories and practical aspects that originate from the academe and industry partners alike.
OLFU CBA Dean, Dr. Ignacio Cordova, Jr. provided a brief prelude to the rationale behind the AILP and initiated the 1st Ad Board Members’ validation of a gathering tool, as well, stimulating an interesting discussion and a healthy exchange of insights.
Through the AILP, steps are taken to align industry requirements with the availability of skilled graduates. The early mentorship and education programs ensure that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed by their chosen industry. These industry-led programs and interventions provide a productive output that can lead to employment and job opportunities.
Present also to share their thoughts were OLFU Campus Administrators, Program Heads, and Supervised Work Experience Program (SWEP) Coordinators across all Campuses, along with special guests.
AILP Ad Board Members are major players in their respective industries which span across research, operations management, retail, accounting & finance, auditing & taxation, marketing, entrepreneurship, innovation & technology, business education, corporate social responsibility, and digital banking.
The University expresses its deep appreciation to the AILP Advisory Board Members: Operations Management Category- Raymund Vincent Aaron, VP for Integrated Operations and Sales, The Banana Chief, Villa Socorro Farm; Accounting & Finance Category- Christian Dave Barrameda, Assistant Manager, Delloite Middle East and President, PICPA Doha LLC (G); Retail & Human Resources Category- Zenaida Camahalan, Head, Human Resource Department, CMG Retail, Inc. (CLN); Franchising Category- Dana Cuneta, AVP for Consultancy, FrancCorp Philippines; Marketing Management Category- Patrick Deanne Damasco, Program Officer, Primer Group of Companies; Auditing & Taxation Category- Vence Warren Eugalca, Tax Associate, Reyes Tacandon & Co.; Entrepreneurship Category- Paul Anthony De Guzman, Program Development Officer, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (GoNegosyo); CSR Category- Myrna Magbitang, Gender and Social Development Specialist, Consultant to ADB, World Bank, and the Department of Transportation; Technology & Innovation Category- Engr. Eric Jude Soliman, CEO, Hytec Power Inc.; Business Education Category- Dr. Eduardo Ong, Director and Chairman for Education, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Research Category- Gary de Ocampo, CEO/President, Kantar Philippines, and Managing Director, Insights Division.
By Sheilla Marie Apostol
