Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and the Singapore Management University have signed an agreement through which SMU’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship will immerse students in UnionBank’s expertise in banking and fintech.
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 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,” shared Hau Koh Foo, director of the SMU Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The students are participants of SMU’s Global Innovation Immersion (GII) program — a talent development program that seeks to imbue and enhance the entrepreneurial and global mindset of its most outstanding students. Students will be interning in startups, venture funds, corporates and non-government organisations in selected key markets.
“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,” Hau added.
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.
“This partnership is in line with the bank’s ‘Student Mentoring Program’ which offers opportunity to work in (our) most innovative and exciting projects; learn and collaborate with experienced professionals; gain experience in a corporate/fintech setting; obtain deeper understanding of banking, finance, technology and the impact of the bank’s initiatives to promote financial inclusion thereby fostering holistic development for the participants,” said Michelle Rubio, UnionBank EVP and chief HR officer.
Rubio said UnionBank is looking at strengthening linkages with more schools and universities in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.
