Union Bank of the Philippines and the Singapore Management University have inked an agreement to further develop the potential of SMU’s brightest and most entrepreneurial students by learning from UnionBankers.
Under the partnership, up to 10 pre-screened SMU students with mixed expertise will be exposed to various projects of UnionBank for 12 weeks to co-create the development of emerging technologies.
“We look forward to the various innovative collaborations our SMU students will generate through this program”
The students are participants of Singapore Management University’s Global Innovation Immersion program – a talent development program seeking to imbue and enhance the entrepreneurial and global mindset of its most outstanding students.
Students can avail of internships in startups, venture funds, corporates and non-government organisations in selected key markets.
“We are always on the lookout to collaborate with the best knowledge partners that can equip our students with new skills and information and expose them in various learning environments,” said HAU Koh Foo, director of the SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
“With UnionBank’s expertise in the banking and finance space coupled with their experience in fintech, we look forward to the various innovative collaborations our SMU students will generate through this program.”
The program is supported by the Singapore government under the Global Innovation Alliance, a network of Singapore and overseas partners in major innovation hubs and key demand markets, with focus on technology and innovation.
UnionBank executive vice president, Michelle Rubio, said the partnership is in line with the bank’s “Student Mentoring Program” which offers the opportunity to work in the bank’s most innovative projects.
Rubio added that they are looking at strengthening linkages with more schools and universities in the ASEAN region.
In 2018, UnionBank launched its first-of-its-kind Blockchain Institute, Data Science Institute and Blockchain Xcellerator programs to help build a pool of tech talents in the Philippines.
