First Philippine Holdings Corporation: An immersion program

• Main Authors: Budhrani, Suresh K., Canelas, Aileen S., Co Song, Terrel Don Gabriel F., Uy, Karen Anne D.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1996
• Subjects: Computer software; Computers > Programming; Computer education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7002
• Institution: De La Salle University

The College of Computer Studies initiated an Immersion Program for graduating students. This was a joint project between the College and First Philippine Holdings Corporation through First Philippine Software (PhilSoft), its Software Division. It served as the students practicum and undergraduate thesis. Twenty four Information Technology students were screened and eleven of them were chosen to join PhilSoft. The program lasted from April to December of 1995. On May 10, 1995, an official agreement was made between FPHC through PhilSoft, and DLSU, committing the eleven students to undergo training in the company. This was the first attempt of the college to embark on such linkage with an external company-FPHC, being the only company that has officially pursued and supported DLSU's Undergraduate Immersion Program. It is through a program like this, that participating students gain maturity in their outlook in life and be better equipped to meet the demands of the work industry. Excerpts from the Memorandum of Agreement state that "FPHS in its concern to enhance the training and development of more and better prepared Information Technology professionals, has agreed to provide the students of DLSU College of Computer Studies the facilities and technical support in the form of training on the current and latest development in the computer industry. Whereas, DLSU has instituted the CCS Undergraduate Immersion Program, wherein students of the University's college of Computer Studies are to undergo training at FPHC as part of the college's practicum in its effort to adequately expose its students to actual industry work situation, thereby enhancing their formal training. Part of the agreement entails the students to be full-time workers during the summer months and an appropriate work schedule to be worked out during the school year for proper balance of work and academic load. During the students' stay with the company, they were able to work on several projects. The work assigned were all related to their Computer Science course. Projects ranged from simple research and documentation to analysis, design and programming of various systems. Students were randomly grouped and assigned to work on different company projects. They were re-assigned to other projects upon completion of previous ones. Through the College of Computer Studies Immersion Program, students were able to gain industry exposure which is vital in preparation for future productive and rewarding job positions in the computer industry.