Sorsogon State University and Global Skilled and Employment Services (GSES) embarked on a new chapter with their collaboration as they partnered in the conduct of the Hybrid Orientation Session on Internship and Career Opportunities in Australia last August 29, 2023, from 1:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon, at the FTC Hall and Accreditation Center of Sorsogon State University Castilla Campus, and via Zoom.
SorSU has recently forged an international linkage with Global Skilled Employment Services (GSES), a recruitment services company based in Melbourne, Australia with a sister company in the Philippines, through a Memorandum of Agreement last July 7, 2023. This marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership and collaboration to provide SorSUeño students and graduates with valuable internship and employment opportunities in the field of agriculture.
Advancing into the next steps after the MOA signing, the SorSU-Castilla Campus, together with the International Relations Office and Career & Job Placement/Industrial Linkages and Development Office, and in partnership with GSES spearheaded the said activity. The welcome remarks given by Dr. Jhonner D. Ricafort, Vice President for Academic Affairs, emphasized that the Hybrid Orientation Session opens opportunities for all SorSU Castilla Campus interns and graduates in Australia and the global arena. He shared that the President, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, expresses her utmost gratitude to GSES for serving as an avenue in the development of skills of SorSU students and graduates. He further encouraged the participants to maximize the opportunity to be equipped with the necessary information and actively participate in the open forum.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vivien L. Chua, SorSU IRO Director, introduced the resource speaker of the event, Ms. Estelle McNally, the Director of GSES. In her opening message, Ms. McNally assured the participants that the GSES, together with Mr. Fadi Malek, the co-founder and Director, will provide hands-on assistance and support to the students and graduates of the university. She comprehensively discussed the application, selection, and visa process to work in Australia, and she eagerly shared how advanced the working environment in Australia is, which will undoubtedly give opportunities to the agriculture graduates of the university.
Mr. Jerome M. Llabres (Program Chair, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture), together with Mr. Jobert C. Arcilla (Program Chair, Bachelor of Agricultural Technology & OIC-Program Chair, Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness), introduced the four campus alumni who are now working and living in Australia through the assistance and support of GSES. They are Mr. John Laurence Doloiras (Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology), Mr. Jehomar Matamorosa (Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology), Ms. Angie Villablanca (Diploma in Agricultural Technology-Bachelor of Agricultural Technology) and Ms. Ma. Theresa Lasala (Diploma in Agricultural Technology-Bachelor of Agricultural Technology). Each shared their experiences and testimonials; they gave pointers and ideas on how students and graduates can apply to practice their profession in Australia. They highlighted that nothing is impossible with patience, perseverance, and courage.
Subsequently ending the testimonials, Ms. McNally presented possible ways to raise funds, estimated expenses and income while undergoing OJT in Australia, and the benefits of training and working in Australia. The question-and-answer forum commenced and was moderated by Prof. Lelanie L. Berjuega, Head of Career & Job Placement/ILDO, and Ms. Melody Llabres, Coordinator of Career & Job Placement/ILDO. The queries were directly addressed by Ms. McNally, which revolved around the application requirements and process, selection process, arrangement and issuance of visa, financial arrangement, priority programs in agriculture, and other related concerns.
The campus internationalization team led by Prof. Andrew F. Detera (Campus Director SorSU-Castilla Campus) composed of Ms. Mari Anne B. Gojar (IRO Coordinator), Ms. Melody Llabres (Career & Job Placement/ILDO Coordinator), Mr. Jerome M. Llabres (Program Chair, BSA), and Mr. Jobert C. Arcilla (Program Chair, BAT & OIC-PC, BSAB) facilitated the awarding of certificates to the resource speaker and invited campus alumni. In his closing remarks, Prof. Detera expressed his profound happiness in the event’s culmination. Further, he also thanked the SorSU administration headed by Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus (SUC President III), GSES officials, concerned offices, invited campus alumni, and the campus workforce who made this event possible.
The hybrid orientation session was participated by 250 on-site participants from SorSU Castilla Campus (teaching, non-teaching personnel, BAT and BSA students) and around 80 online participants (university officials, personnel, students, alumni, and other stakeholders). (SorSU Castilla Campus)
