Through Talent Edge, Aboitiz Economic Estates’ workforce sustainability initiative, and its partnership with Batangas State University, the organizations are advancing workforce readiness and industry-based learning by deepening connections between industry and education.
Lipa-Malvar, Batangas — Aboitiz Economic Estates and Batangas State University, The National Engineering University, formally inducted industry leaders into the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) through an Induction and Onboarding Program held last July 2026 at the Talent Edge Hub at LIMA Estate, reinforcing collaboration between industry and academia to strengthen workforce readiness and align education with evolving industry needs.
By strengthening links between education and industry, students gain greater exposure to workplace realities, educators benefit from industry insights, and employers help shape a talent pipeline equipped for the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly evolving economy.
The Industry Advisory Council serves as a strategic partner to Batangas State University in aligning academic programs with industry needs. It assists the University in developing graduates with the competencies, skills, and professional attributes required by the workforce while ensuring that academic programs remain responsive to industry standards, professional requirements, and emerging societal and technological developments.
Through regular engagement with the University, Council members will provide insights on workforce trends, emerging skills requirements, evolving technologies, and workplace practices that can inform curriculum development, academic program enhancement, and workforce preparation initiatives. The Council also institutionalizes industry participation in student learning and workforce development by helping integrate industry-relevant competencies into academic programs and learning outcomes.
Beyond its advisory role, members will support initiatives such as industry mentorships, guest lectures, experiential learning opportunities, and workplace exposure programs that connect students to real industry practice and professional environments.
“Preparing talent for the future requires stronger connections between education and industry. Through the Industry Advisory Council, companies can contribute directly to shaping learning experiences, developing relevant skills, and providing students with greater exposure to real-world industry environments,” shared Rafael P. Fernandez de Mesa, President and CEO of Aboitiz Economic Estates and Aboitiz Land. “By bringing industry closer to education, we strengthen workforce readiness while helping build the talent pipeline needed to support long-term economic growth.”
The Industry Advisory Council brings together representatives from academia, estate development, and industry to help align education with evolving workforce needs. Its industry members include senior leaders from companies spanning automotive manufacturing, consumer goods, food production, packaging, logistics, semiconductors, and industrial manufacturing, including representatives from some of LIMA Estate’s leading locators such as Yamaha, Furukawa, JTEKT, Proterial (formerly Hitachi Metals), Japan Tobacco International, Littelfuse, and Aice.
During the onboarding program, Council members formally committed to active participation in Council meetings, consultations, and collaborative activities that will help guide the continuing development of the Industry-Based Learning Model and strengthen engagement between the University and industry partners.
“The Industry Advisory Council creates a structured mechanism for industry to participate in the continuous enhancement of our academic programs,” shared Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, President of Batangas State University. “By bringing together leaders from key sectors, we gain valuable insights that help ensure our graduates develop the competencies, technical expertise, and professional attributes required by today’s workforce. These perspectives also help us keep our programs responsive to emerging industry developments and future skills requirements.”
The Council forms part of Talent Edge, Aboitiz Economic Estates’ workforce sustainability platform, which seeks to strengthen talent pipelines by connecting education, industry, and employment opportunities across its economic estates.
“Building a future-ready workforce requires industry to play an active role in education. Through the Industry Advisory Council, we can help align learning with real-world workforce requirements while giving students greater exposure to the realities of modern manufacturing,” shared Arnel Recolizado, Chief Green Officer for Yamaha Motor Philippines. “This collaboration benefits both industry and society by helping develop skilled talent, expanding opportunities for young people, and strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the Philippine economy.”
The initiative supports the development of the Batangas State University – LIMA Campus, which is designed to advance a model of industry-based learning by bringing education and industry into closer collaboration. Located within LIMA Estate, the campus provides students with direct access to operating industries, modern technologies, and professional environments that can enrich learning and strengthen workforce preparation.
The 10-hectare Batangas State University – LIMA Campus, located within LIMA Estate’s Industrial Hub, will serve as the Philippines’ first learning hub for industry-based learning, strengthening embedded workforce sustainability by directly linking engineering education with the evolving needs of industrial operations and supporting long-term talent development within the ecosystem.
This vision begins to take shape in August 2026 when the Batangas State University – LIMA Campus welcomes its pioneering batch of 800 freshman engineering and engineering technology students. The interim facility represents the first phase of a planned 10-hectare campus that will further expand opportunities for collaboration among students, educators, and industry partners.
As the Industry Advisory Council begins its work and the Batangas State University – LIMA Campus welcomes its first students, the partnership advances a model where education, employment, and industry development are more closely connected. Through Talent Edge and the BatStateU LIMA Campus, LIMA Estate continues to evolve as a working learning ecosystem where students, educators, and industry leaders can engage more closely, creating stronger pathways from education to employment and supporting the long-term competitiveness of Philippine industry.