The University of Batangas and COL Financial formalized a landmark partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on November 27, 2025 at Trattoria Lipeña, marking the first academic collaboration of its kind in the Province of Batangas. The agreement establishes UB – through the College of Management and Tourism (UBLC CMT) and the College of Business, Accountancy, and Hospitality Management (UBBC CBAHM) – as COL Financial’s key academic partner in advancing financial literacy and investment education among students and the wider UB community.
The ceremony gathered university officials, faculty members, and representatives from COL Financial to witness an initiative aimed at strengthening UB’s commitment to equipping students with industry-relevant competencies. Among those in attendance were University President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn; Dr. Aurora P. Tolentino, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Irene De Villa, Dean of the College of Management and Tourism; Dr. Erwin Lumanglas, Dean of the College of Business, Accountancy and Hospitality Management; Ms. Jolly Belgira, Program Head of the BSBA Program (UBLC); Mr. Noelito Sales, Program Head of BS Accountancy (UBLC); Ms. Maru Santiago, Faculty Member of CBAHM (UBBC); Mr. Arjay Gonzales, Special Projects and Design Officer; and Ms. Dianne Landicho, Executive Assistant to the President. From COL Financial, attendees included Mr. Conrado F. Bate, President and CEO; Mr. Jed L. Velarde, Head of Partnerships; Mr. Kirk Nonifara, Partnerships and Customer Development Officer; and Mr. Raphael Bustamante, Wealth Trainer; and
The partnership will provide access to seminars, learning programs, investment platforms, and financial education initiatives grounded in real-world market practices, preparing future graduates for a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
In her message, University President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn emphasized the significance of the collaboration, noting that the MOU symbolizes “a shared commitment to empower our academic community, most especially our students, with the financial knowledge required in an increasingly complex economic landscape.” She highlighted that financial literacy is a fundamental component of responsible citizenship and affirmed UB’s gratitude to COL Financial for extending its expertise in capital markets. She added that as industries evolve – accelerated by developments such as artificial intelligence – schools must keep pace: “We cannot keep teaching them the old stuff.”
COL Financial Chief Executive Officer and President Mr. Conrado F. Bate expressed appreciation for the partnership and underscored the company’s mission to broaden financial literacy. Reflecting on personal experiences and lessons from decades in the industry, he stressed the importance of informed investing, diversification, and long-term financial planning. He shared that many individuals lose confidence in the market due to insufficient understanding, reiterating the need for proper guidance. “We have to guide our children and our students in navigating these choices,” he noted, emphasizing that this collaboration aims to help learners embrace disciplined, purposeful investing and gain access to global market opportunities.
Further highlighting the academic value of the partnership, Dr. Irene De Villa, Dean of CMT, described the MOU as a pivotal milestone that elevates UB’s financial education efforts. She shared personal experiences as an investor, underscoring the importance of early financial education and the need for guided, practical learning opportunities. She emphasized that the collaboration will benefit the students, their parents and partner communities through outreach and extension programs. Dr. De Villa added that the initiative directly advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Through this partnership, UB and COL Financial take a collective step toward bridging academic–industry gaps and building a financially literate, future-ready generation. By integrating expert knowledge, real-world tools, and accessible investment platforms into the university’s learning environment, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to shaping graduates who are equipped to navigate an increasingly complex financial ecosystem, uplift their communities, and contribute meaningfully to national progress.