Insular Foundation provides holistic educational intervention for college scholars
To help young Filipinos pursue their dreams, the Insular Foundation recently awarded college scholarship grants to first-year students and conducted a career readiness summit for its scholars and other graduating students at invited schools.
The corporate social responsibility arm of InLife awarded the Gold Eagle College Scholarship Grant to 26 students who are taking up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses. The new scholars are first year students from the Foundation’s six partner schools: University of Philippines Diliman (UPD), Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), Benguet State University (BSU), Bohol Island State University (BISU), Central Mindanao University (CMU), and Davao Oriental State University (DORSU).
During the scholars’ orientation program, Insular Foundation program manager Teresita T. Melad discussed the scholarship benefits which include stipend, transportation, and book allowance; the scholarship renewal rules; and the two-year requirement to serve in the country after graduation.
Insular Foundation Executive Director Ana Maria R. Soriano advised the scholars to contribute to the community as she cited the proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
“Spend time with people who are going in the same direction as yours, for as long as it is in the right direction. Carry your weight. Contribute and lead if you must. You will reach farther and achieve greater than what one person would have individually created,” she said.
Gold Eagle Scholars from the University of the Philippines Diliman meet InLife Executive Chairperson Nina D. Aguas (center) and Insular Foundation Executive Director Ana Maria R. Soriano (standing, fourth from left).
Speaking on behalf of the scholars, UPD student Allena Erica M. Cruz said the scholarship grant empowers them to become agents of change.
“This scholarship is more than just a granted academic opportunity because what lies within it is trust in our potentials, in our commitment to honor and excellence, and in our intentions to contribute meaningfully to the community. On behalf of my fellow scholars, we pledge to honor this trust by utilizing the knowledge we have not just for ourselves, but for the betterment of the society that invested in us,” Cruz said.
Career Readiness Summit
To help its scholars adapt in the job application process and workplace culture, the Insular Foundation has conducted a Career Readiness Summit. The summit was also opened to the graduating students from Asia Pacific College, Centro Escolar University-Makati, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
In her keynote presentation, Linartes Viloria, Project Coordinator of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme, said jobs are not just for personal survival but for contributing to the community and the welfare of others.
“We have seen so many people who are very talented and very motivated, but if they lack the attitude for it – the soft skills, communication skills, collaborative skills, critical thinking skills – it will be difficult. A lot of successful people are not necessarily the ones who excelled in class, but the ones who had the motivation and the right attitude to succeed,” Viloria said.
She also shared tips in preparing for the first best job: List down your strengths and weaknesses. Identify your priority jobs. Map out the roles and skills needed for your priority jobs. Research companies that have your best interests in mind. Start applying.
In her message, InLife Executive Chairperson Nina D. Aguas told the scholars that Insular Foundation is honored to be part of their journey to get good quality of education.
“The financial assistance, the mentoring, and other webinars extended to you are meant to help you navigate through your college years and bring you to where you are now. In the face of uncertainty, you have demonstrated that you are not the lost generation; you are the found generation. You found resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in the face of adversity. As you embark on this new chapter, I want to leave you with one request. Wherever life will lead you, be a force for good,” she said.
InLife President and CEO Raoul E. Littaua addresses the Gold Eagle scholars during the Career Readiness Summit.
As scholars gear up for positions of responsibility and influence in the future, InLife President and CEO Raoul E. Littaua encouraged the scholars to give back to the country and always remember the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Having the advantages in life and better opportunities does not automatically mean that you are a better individual. We should be open to diversity of opinion and thinking. Equity does not mean equality for all. Equity recognizes that majority of us did not have the same advantages as we do. It is incumbent upon us that we make the adjustments so that it becomes an equal playing field. Inclusion means everybody is heard. Keep these in your heart,” Littaua said.
InLife’s Chief Transformation Officer Efren C. Caringal Jr., for his part, shared the three Es in learning development.
“In learning development, we focus on three key elements: education, exposure, and experience. While university education is foundational, real-world exposure and hands-on experience become more crucial in the corporate sector. Beyond financial compensation, first-time employees should evaluate job offers for growth and learning opportunities to advance their careers truly,” he said.
Through the Gold Eagle Scholarship Program and the Career Readiness Summit, the Insular Foundation provides holistic educational intervention to its scholars. To learn more about InLife's corporate social responsibility arm, visit https://www.insularfoundation.com.ph/.