PUP picks PDI for anniversary tie-up, student-faculty dev’t

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) has chosen the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) as its partner for a range of student and faculty development initiatives, as well as for activities in line with PUP’s 120th founding anniversary this October.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on April 22 between PUP and PDI outlines several areas of collaboration, starting with the paper serving as the university’s official media partner for anniversary-related events.

Going beyond this milestone, the partnership will also explore the creation of programs for the benefit of PUP students, graduates and faculty members.

This includes apprenticeship or internship programs to provide students with real-world experience to better prepare them for the job market. PUP and PDI also plan to implement career placement initiatives to help graduates secure employment.

‘Easy decision’

For faculty members, the MOU allows for the creation of training and professional development opportunities in the media industry through programs harnessing PDI resources and expertise. This knowledge sharing will enable PUP professors and instructors to enhance their skills in these areas.

PDI-PUP MOU SIGNING Signing of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Polytechnic University of the Philippines Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in connection with the school’s 120th Foundation Anniversary Celebration. The signing was held at the PDI Makati office, Guyito Hall on Monday, April 22, 2024. Photo from left: PUP Assistant Vice President Prof. Roseller M. Malabanan, PUP President Manuel M. Muhi, Inquirer President and CEO Atty. Rudyard S. Arbolado, and Inquirer Sales Director Ms. Adela G. Mendoza. PHOTO BY EUGENE ARANETA

“We shall create and implement programs that will benefit PUP students while they are in the university and after they leave,” PDI president and CEO Rudyard Arbolado said at the MOU signing. “We shall also create training and development programs that will enable PDI to share its know-how to PUP faculty members in the fields of journalism, communication, and media.”

The partnership hopes to give PUP a new vehicle for its “noble and patriotic mission” to provide accessible, quality education for Filipinos across the country, he said.

For PUP, fostering a relationship with PDI was an “easy decision,” according to Roseller Malabanan, the university’s assistant vice president for campuses.

22 campuses

He said PUP’s previous collaborations with the paper were “very productive.”

“At this point, we’re looking for a long-term relationship with PDI because institutionally we see PDI as a strong partner because of its extensive foundation in helping people through information,” Malabanan said. “That is one of the objectives of PUP: to ensure that information is cascaded to our students efficiently and effectively.”

Signing of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Polytechnic University of the Philippines Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in connection with the school’s 120th Foundation Anniversary Celebration. The signing was held at the PDI Makati office, Guyito Hall on Monday, April 22, 2024. PHOTO BY EUGENE ARANETA

Founded in 1904, PUP is considered one of the largest government university systems in the country, with 22 campuses across the archipelago and a current student population of around 70,000, half of them at the main campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

For 12 decades, it has striven to make quality tertiary education affordable and accessible to students especially from low-income families.

Through 124 accredited programs, it has produced highly qualified graduates especially in engineering, education, psychology, interior design, architecture, nutrition and dietetics, accountancy and law.

The online recruitment site JobStreet has consistently ranked PUPians as the recruits most preferred by Philippine employers.