Light Rail Manila Corp. teamed up with Ateneo De Manila University’s School of Science and Engineering to strengthen the expertise of students and create a pool of potential railway experts.
LRMC and ADMU signed a memorandum of agreement to work together towards national capacity building, knowledge-sharing and promotion of technological innovation in the field of railway transportation.
The partnership underscores the importance of research and academic engagement.
“LRMC considers this as a great partnership in designing railway engineering courses and programs to support the growing need for highly-skilled and competent rail workforce on the back of continuous developments in the railway industry here,” LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso said.
“This will also aim to showcase the importance of private sector and academe collaboration in promoting real-world learning among students, where students can engage in projects that allow them to address public transportation issues and see their academic work’s impact beyond the walls of the classroom,” said Alfonso, who is also a member of the advisory board of the Ateneo Research Institute of Science and Engineering.
LRMC and ADMU will develop an internship program where ADMU may deploy students to LRMC for training and learning with access to facilities and equipment.
LRMC may assign officers, employees and consultants as subject matter experts in any of the courses offered by ADMU, with the main function of acting as resource speakers for particular topics covered by ADMU courses.
“Ateneo and the School of Science and Engineering are excited to embark on this journey with Light Rail Manila Corp. Through this partnership to further develop railway and transportation engineering in the country, SOSE and LRMC move forward in a shared mission of advancing excellence and serving the nation,” Ateneo De Manila University-School of Science and Engineering Dean Raphael Guerrero said.
“With the industry’s promising outlook around the world, rail holds an important position in driving a sustainable future for our cities and regions. The latest advances in technology through digitalization, big data, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and material science present a great opportunity for the rail sector to deliver more tailored approaches and efficient services. We are excited to make things happen and create a better environment to live in through our partnership with Ateneo,” Alfonso said.