The Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo (PLSP) explored the potential of an innovative way of offering curricular programs during their consultation meeting at the Conference Hall, LSPU-San Pablo City Campus (SPCC), Aug. 29, 2023.

The partnership taps into the possibility of joint implementation of engineering and hospitality and tourism programs via a 2+2 model wherein the first two years of the four-year programs will be undertaken at the PLSP while the remaining two years will be finished at the LSPU by the same set of students.

During the meeting, Dr. Mario R. Briones, University President of LSPU, expressed his support for the academic venture, noting how the success of this partnership may serve as a model for other higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country in the offering of 2+2 programs. 

Joining President Briones from LSPU were Dr. Eden C. Callo, Vice President for Academic Affairs; A/Prof. Joel M. Bawica, Campus Director of LSPU-SPCC; Engr. Enrico Puyo, Associate Dean of the College of Engineering (COE); Dr. Marlon Wankey, Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE); Mrs. Evelyn Napiza, Chairperson for Admission and Registrarship; Mrs. Maribel P. Lat, Chairperson for Budget and Finance; Mrs. Annalyn Delfino, Guidance Counselor; and selected program coordinators and staff. 

Meanwhile, representatives of PLSP included Dr. Joel Melecio Cabael, Vice President of External Affairs and Linkages; Prof. Lorena E. Bautista, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Mr. Mark Francis Donato, Vice President for Administration, Planning, and Finance; and Engr. Estelita Cura, OIC Dean.

As a new academic undertaking at its initial dialogue, the proposal had its concerns that the representatives from the two institutions went over. This included the crafting of a model curriculum for engineering and hospitality and tourism programs, estimation of students to be admitted for the programs vis-à-vis capacity of facilities, implementation of admission and retention policies of the institutions, management of scholarship (i.e., UniFAST) from PLSP to LSPU, facilitating student deployment, crafting of memorandum of understanding (MOU) and memorandum of agreement (MOA), confirmation on the issuance of diploma, and reporting of passing rates in the licensure examinations, among others. 

For proper guidance on some of the concerns raised, Dr. Cabael of PLSP recommended inviting representatives from concerned agencies such as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-UniFAST in the succeeding consultation meetings. [LSPU Information Office]