Dr. Victoriano B. Tirol, III, President of the University of Bohol, led the five-member
team on a 5-day official visit to Japan for the formal signing of a Memorandum of
Agreement with top executives of Tokyu Hotels Group. The signing ceremony took
place on November 13, 2023 at Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan.
The agreement was sealed between Dr. Victoriano B. Tirol, III, and Mr. Jun Murai,
President, Tokyu Hotels Group. This partnership emerged from preliminary
discussions held on August 29, 2023, at the university’s Illuminada’s Home.
Witnessing the signing were key university officials, including Dr. Maricel A. Tirol,
Vice President for Finance, Ms. Ria Eva Sevilla, Vice President for Administration,
Ms. Jane Doren A. Bungabong, Dean, College of Hospitality, Management, Tourism
and Nutrition (CHMTN), and Ms. Beryl Elizabeth Lupot, Executive Secretary.
The agreement establishes a structured On-the-Job-Training program providing
students with hands-on experience across various hotels operated by Tokyu Hotels
Group in Japan. This initiative offers practical exposure to different departments,
ensuring a comprehensive understanding of operational dynamics. The collaboration
aims to offer invaluable international OJT training opportunities to graduating
students from the university’s Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
program.
Following the official signing ceremony, the team proceeded to Hakuba, a village
nestled in Nagano Prefecture renowned as a winter sports hub. Their objective was
to conduct a thorough on-site inspection of Hakuba Tokyu Hotel, including the
accommodations designated for the interns, hospitals, police and fire stations, stores
and shops, and recreation areas to visit during fee time. This evaluation aligns with
the provision outlines in CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 10, series of 2023,
or the Enhanced Policies, Standards, and Guidelines on Student Internship Abroad
Program. Such inspections are mandated to guarantee the safety and well-being of
student interns during their stay in the host country.
In Hakuba, an internship program agreement was formalized between UB President
Dr. Victoriano B. Tirol, III, and General Manager Masato Horiuchi of Hakuba Tokyu
Hotel. The inaugural group of interns is set to embark on their 90-day internship
program at the Hakuba hotel on the first quarter of 2024, asa key component of this
collaboration initiative. The management of Tokyu Hotels will give preference to OJT
students who successfully complete their evaluation post-training, with the prospect
of becoming permanent employees and securing a 10-year residency in Japan.
However, interns are at liberty to explore opportunities in another industry if they so
desire.
After concluding their visit in Hakuba, the team returned to the capital city on
November 17, 2023 and proceeded to make a courtesy call to the Philippine
Embassy Consular Office in Tokyo. Charge d’ Affaires Robespierre L. Bolivar and
Attaché Jackie Lou C. Ong, warmly welcomed the group, assuring both university
officials and the Tokyu Hotels group of the Embassy’s unwavering support and
assistance for the first batch of interns.
CDA Bolivar commended the collaboration between the university and the Japanese
partner industry, emphasizing that this internship program marked a significant
milestone as the first formalized initiative of its kind in Japan. The UB executives,
accompanied by Ms. Sally Fukuoda and Mr. Ito Masahiro of the Tokyo Hotels and
Resorts Co. Ltd., expressed their gratitude to the Embassy for its commitment. Both
parties hoped for a positive and far-reaching impact of the internship program on
students in the hospitality industry. (Leo Armando B. Boncales)