Batangas State University, National Engineering University (BatStateu The Neu), in partnership with Aboitiz economic services, has launched the Lima Campus to help close work-study skills through industry-based learning for engineering students.
“When Batangas State University says industry-based learning, it means that the curriculum is developed by Batangas State and the industry here,” University President Tirso A. Ronquillo told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday.
“When I say bringing together, even experts from the industry will be part of our capacity. They will be part of our advisors, our TheIS advisors or stones,” he added.
Batstateu’s new campus is located in the Lima Estate, a 1,000-hectare (ha) mixed development owned by the Aboitiz group. Last year, Aboitiz infracapital, Inc. (AIC) began its expansion of HA Lima Estate’s Hub with a target completion of 2027.
“We are thankful for the good fortune to be given 10 hectares of property in Lima Estate as Batangas State University,” said Mr. Ronquillo. “Now it will be developed, and the building will be built … from different possible sources.”
Work compatibility and skills mismatch is one of the key drivers of the partnership, according to Aboitiz Global President and CEO Rafael Fernandez de Mesa.
“It’s not that we don’t have enough of an aging workforce; It’s about the skill set needed for future industry needs,” he told Businessworld on the sidelines of the event.
“This campus allows us to meet that gap or serve not only the present but the future needs of the industrial areas that have chosen to make money here in Lima,” he added, emphasizing the 125 active companies within the estate.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that the unemployment rate in the Philippines rose to 3.8% in September from 3.7% last year, translating to 1.96 million Filipinos.
The BatStateu Lima Campus, which will open its doors to students in the academic year 2026-2027, includes aerospace engineering, Mischatronical engineering, Mechatronics engineering, electronic technology technology, and electronic engineering.
“In one of our campuses, there are also engineering (programs), but the engineering programs are different from the engineering programs here,” said Mr. Ronquillo. “We’re building a great pipeline of talent here because that’s what the industry wants or needs.”
While the “permanent” campus is still in progress and aims to finish within five to 10 years, the University can accept two sections per program, 800 sections.
“When we were able to do it completely, we already had our classrooms, we developed our collaboration with the sector, and we tried our learning models,” said Mr. Ronquillo. – Almira Louise S. Martinez
