𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗜𝗔 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

Report by Ellyza Gutierrez | Photos by Wacky Dimyao and Julyanna Lyde Bautista

Looking to build meaningful partnerships, the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) conducted its first-ever Government Industry Academe (GIA) Round Table Conference on August 6 at the Theater Room, Smith Hall Building, TSU Main Campus.

The event brought together representatives from various educational institutions, government agencies, and private companies to share insights and discuss possible collaborations with the various academic departments of CASS.

Formally opening the program, College Dean Dr. Aloysius T. Madriaga acknowledged the guests in his Welcome Remarks and dwelled on the importance of such an event.

“As we engage in these discussions, let us keep in mind the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the value of diverse perspectives. It is through this collective effort that we can drive progress and make a lasting impact on society,” Dean Madriaga said.

Dr. Arnold E. Velasco, President of TSU, shared his thoughts through a written message read by Assistant Professor and Presidential Communications Secretary Maricor Cheska B. Santos.

“This conference aims to foster strong partnerships and collaborations as we pursue our mission of being a globally recognized university for excellence in sciences and emerging technologies,” she relayed.

Additionally, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg graced the event to impart her message where she highlighted the need to bridge the skills gap between industry and academe.

“We are embarking on a collaborative journey. Your mere presence here only shows that you are one with us on finding solutions on how to enhance our curriculum and on how to answer the skills gap between what we need in the industry and what we could provide in the academe,” she said.

Meanwhile, CASS Local Linkages Coordinator Dr. Grace Ann C. Hasegawa presented the overview of the conference and noted its objectives. She explained that “working together today (means) we would like to share ideas, create new partnerships, strengthen existing ones, get inspired, and find a common ground for our passions.”

Associate Dean of CASS, Dr. Raffy S. Aganon, proceeded to introduce the Plenary Speaker, Dr. Glenn M. Calaguas, a CASS alumnus and currently a professor at the Pampanga State Agricultural University.

In his presentation titled “Creating Meaningful Partnerships Government, Industry, and Academe Synergy,” Calaguas proposed principles and collaborative approaches in contributing to societal progress while also touching upon pressing issues such as youth mental health, education quality, and career mismatch.

Following the plenary session, faculties and student representatives from each department, together with their respective potential partner companies and institutions, proceeded to their designated breakout rooms for the round table discussions.

Negotiations centered on plans to create opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships, college extension services, and conducting research, all in collaboration with industry partners, and adhering to the overarching goal of enhancing their skills and knowledge, making them highly competent professionals ready to excel in the workforce.

“We have plans to strengthen ‘yung mga existing partnership and explore more partnerships with different government agencies and departments not only for internship but also for research and extension collaboration,” according to Assistant Professor Maria Fermina Joyce C. Nucum, chair of the Department of Communication.

Department of Psychology OIC-Chair Jazmin Joy E. Dizon also recognized the conference as a platform to address problems that may be hindering students in pursuing a career after graduating.

“Yung skills gap na nakita ng department at ng mga industry partners, yung soft skills, specifically yung mga communication skills ng mga fresh grads, ‘yun sana yung bentahe pero doon actually lumalagapak, lalo na sa psych,” she said.

Moreover, Department of English Language Studies Chairperson Franchete O. Caingat shared plans regarding their newly enhanced curriculum which now included On-the-job training (OJT).

“We gathered a lot of insights from our possible partners… What they suggested is, instead of the usual na 200 hours sa isang company lang, hahatiin iyon, like 100 hours for the government and 100 hours sa private industry,” she said.

Following the awarding of certificates, College Research Chairperson, Dr. Myrel M. Santiago, led the Closing Remarks where she expressed optimism about the future collaborative activities rendered from the conference.

“This is just a beginning of this synergy, that’s why from here we will all look forward and work together in making everything we have done this morning bear more successes,” she stated.

This event marks a significant milestone for CASS as it is the second GIA conference in the university and the first for the college. Moving forward, the round table participants’ next steps are to formalize the partnerships through agreements and implement the joint projects.