Attaining a high percentage in the licensure examination is unquestionably commendable, but for Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL), an even more important basis for the success of its graduates is their ability to apply their skills and knowledge in the working world.
Engineer Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, MCL's executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO), pointed out that it is MCL's promise to produce graduates who are fully prepared to successfully launch their careers.
"Our jobs are not yet finished once our students have graduated. We promise to produce competent professionals, and that will only happen after they all have jobs. So we give more weight to employability. It's actually our goal to place them within six months after they've passed the boards and as of the moment, our batting average is 80 percent. I'm very proud to say that we're able to meet that figure every year since our first batch of graduates," he said.
In terms of performance in this year's various licensure examinations, the MCL's alpha batch was able to attain an 87 percent overall passing rate, way above the national passing percentage.
It also scored a major feat last year after the school obtained a 100 percent passing rate in electrical engineering (EE), mechanical engineering (ME), and marine engineering (MarE) board exams.
A total of 83 MCL students took the recent ME, EE, Certified Public Accountant, electronics engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, marine transportation, and MarE licensure exams.
Engineer Dennis H. Tablante, MCL's vice president for Academic Affairs, admitted that scoring a high passing rate in board exams does make a strong impression.
"It does create a very strong impression especially in terms of quality of education but at the end of the day, it all boils down to the question, 'Can they be hired?' Employability really should be given more importance," he explained.
The MCL's success can be attributed to the school's adoption of the outcomes-based approach to education, which ensures the professional readiness of its students.

Source: Manila Bulletin- January 23, 2013