[A team from Xavier University and human resource leaders in Northern Mindanao drew together in a meeting to discuss employment partnerships for XU graduates and mismatching in the local job market. Supplied photo.] 

The deans of Xavier University and human resource leaders in the region met up to discuss aligning the skills of graduates with the requirements of the industries.

The event aimed to build linkages between XU and industry stakeholders for future employment of graduates and to address job mismatching in the regional level.

“We recognize the needs of human resources for potential hires but there seems to be a mismatch between competencies and requirements,” remarked Dr Mary Rachelle Reyes Wapaño of XU’s Academic Vice President’s Office (AVPO).

“Our linkages would serve as continuing conversations on how to link our graduates’ competencies with the HR requisites [of various industries],” she added.

Josephine T Ortiz, chapter president of People Management Association of the Philippines - Region 10 said that for many years that PMAP has existed, this was the first time that a formal meeting was held between the academe and the industries.

Initial agreements were also made between PMAP and the XU College of Computer Studies to provide internship programs to junior or senior Ateneans, including hiring some front-end developers.

XU’s VP for Academic Affairs Fr Rene Tacastacas SJ presented the university’s mission, vision and the formation behind “ideal graduates” of a Catholic, Jesuit and Filipino university. He underscored that XU graduates are equipped with “the pursuit for competence, conscience and commitment” in every endeavor, making them ideal professionals.

AVPO is looking forward to formalizing their partnerships with different local industries through memoranda of agreement. They are also planning to present these initiatives to the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce.