UPHSL IEAO Leads Coordination Meeting for Proposed Work Immersion Partnership with BINHS
The University of Perpetual Help System Laguna (UPHSL), through its International and External Affairs Office (IEAO) headed by its Director, Dr. Josefa G. Carrillo, led a coordination meeting last November 14, 2025 to strengthen collaborative efforts for the proposed Work Immersion Partnership with Biñan Integrated National High School (BINHS). The initiative highlights the IEAO’s central role in building, managing, and formalizing institutional partnerships that support academic development and community engagement.
Held at the SPS Office, the meeting brought together UPHSL academic leaders, including Ms. Nova Marie M. Estabillo, Director of the Student Personnel Services (SPS) Department; Dr. Ernesto A. Serrano, Jr., Dean of the College of Business and Accountancy; Dr. Elena A. Salinas, Dean of the College of Teacher Education; Dr. Arcangel Joshua Abustan, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Mr. Oliver M. Junio, Dean of the College of Computer Studies.
Representatives from BINHS were: Mr. Gil de Grato, Mr. John Herald Lanaria, Ms. Gillian Gabarda, Ms. Wen Robas, and Ms. Johanna San Antonio, who joined the discussion to align expectations for the Work Immersion Program slated for the Second Semester of School Year 2025–2026.
The proposed partnership aims to accommodate Grade 12 learners from the Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) strands for their required 80-hour workplace immersion. BINHS highlighted its objective of providing meaningful, hands-on workplace experiences that will enhance students’ practical skills, workplace readiness, and overall career preparation. They recognized UPHSL as a strong partner capable of offering diverse, high-quality immersion environments.
As the lead office for partnership development, the IEAO facilitated the meeting by outlining the structure of collaboration, clarifying institutional roles, and ensuring that requirements and expectations were fully communicated. The office also reaffirmed its responsibility for overseeing all partnership documentation, including the drafting and processing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The SPS Department will coordinate with relevant units to support efficient program implementation.
UPHSL’s SPS Department and college representatives expressed full readiness to host learners across the university’s administrative, academic, and specialized units. SPS will handle operational concerns such as orientations, safety protocols, coordination with mentors, and processing of consent forms. Meanwhile, the participating colleges will design and supervise immersion activities aligned with students’ academic tracks.
The proposed immersion period is scheduled from February to March 2026, with Grade 12 learners set for deployment across UPHSL’s offices and departments.
Through this initiative, the IEAO continues to strengthen UPHSL’s network of partnerships, advancing opportunities that promote educational mobility, workplace preparedness, and community-linked learning.