Taguig City – November 5, 2025. The University of Batangas (UB) has strengthened its commitment to global academic excellence and innovation through a formal partnership with Enderun Colleges, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a benchmarking activity held at the Enderun campus in Taguig City.
Leading the University of Batangas delegation was University President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn, accompanied by Mr. Alex A. Ramos, Senior Vice President for Administration; Dr. Aurora Tolentino, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Annabelle Tenorio, Dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Erwin Lumanglas, Dean of the College of Business, Accountancy, and Hospitality Management (CBAHM) – Batangas Campus; Dr. Irene De Villa, Dean of the College of Management and Tourism (CMT) – Lipa Campus; Dr. Imelda De Los Reyes, Director of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP); Ms. Ma. Raissa Rani S. Mercado-Beron, Internship Officer; Mr. Joshua Perez, Multimedia Designer; Ms. Dianne Landicho, Executive Assistant to the President; and Mrs. Mila Dela Cruz, Program Head of the BS Hospitality Management program – Lipa Campus.
The partnership builds upon the initial benchmarking visit conducted last September 11, 2025, and aims to broaden academic and industry collaborations between the two institutions. The MOU outlines key areas of cooperation, including Graduate Education, Continuing Professional Education, Scholarship and Educational Assistance, Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), Culinary Programs, Curriculum Development Review, Faculty Immersion, Research Collaborations, and Outreach Initiatives. It also covers internship and job placement programs, joint symposia, guest lectures, and participation in industry dialogues and tracer studies – all designed to promote lifelong learning and professional development.
During the ceremonial signing, Dr. Jun Salipsip, President of Enderun Colleges, emphasized the shared commitment of both institutions to expanding educational opportunities and nurturing globally competitive graduates.
“For the betterment of our students and for better opportunities for them, we are excited to go for the areas that you have indicated – culinary, ETEEAP, OJT partnership, and research,” Dr. Salipsip stated. “These are areas where we can truly work together to make a difference.”
In response, UB President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn expressed her gratitude for the partnership and underscored UB’s enduring mission rooted in nation-building and service.
“We are very excited about this collaboration,” she said. “We really want to help the Filipino youth. Let’s give them the skill sets, the opportunities, and the experiences that will make them employable – not just in any job, but in meaningful careers that uplift their lives and communities. This partnership brings us closer to what our founders envisioned in 1946: quality education anchored in faith in God, love of wisdom, and service to fellowmen.”
President Hernandez-Bohn also shared UB’s history as a post-war institution founded by six Batangueños – a priest, educators, and lawyers – whose vision of rebuilding the nation through education continues to guide the University nearly 80 years later. She extended an invitation for Enderun representatives to visit the UB campuses for future collaborative activities, including the National Food Showdown 2026 to be hosted in Batangas.
Ms. Loida Flojo, Enderun Colleges’ Vice President for Extension, detailed the initial collaboration areas under the MOU, highlighting the creation of a Culinary Pathways Program that allows students to begin their coursework at UB and complete advanced training at Enderun.
“Today’s signing is not just about formalizing the MOU,” she noted. “It’s about moving the needle and getting to work. Together, we’re building a continuum from education to employment – integrating research, faculty calibration, short courses, and industry-based training to ensure learners transition successfully into the workforce.”
Founded in 2005, Enderun Colleges has established itself as a premier institution in hospitality, culinary arts, business, design, and sustainability, with partnerships that include École Ducasse Manila, UCLA Extension, Namseoul University, Dongguk University, Hannam University, Sangmyung University, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Its network of over 800 industry partners in more than 30 countries provides students with global internship and career opportunities.
The University of Batangas, founded in 1946, has consistently upheld its legacy of academic excellence, service, and leadership. With campuses in Batangas City and Lipa City, UB continues to expand its program offerings in law, business, engineering, education, health sciences, and hospitality – preparing graduates to become competent and service-oriented professionals in both local and international settings.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Batangas and Enderun Colleges marks a pivotal advancement in the University’s internationalization effort, emphasizing its commitment to fostering innovation, academic excellence, and global collaboration. This initiative underscores both institutions’ dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) by promoting accessible, industry-relevant, and globally attuned learning opportunities.
Through this partnership, UB reinforces its mission to nurture globally competent graduates equipped with the skills, knowledge, and values needed to excel in an increasingly interconnected world. It stands as a testament to the University’s unwavering pursuit of educational transformation that prepares students to become future-ready professionals and leaders in their respective fields.