Saint Louis University (SLU) marked a significant milestone in industry–academe collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Clark Development Corporation (CDC) for the internship of Lousians, dubbed the “Town and Gown” Program. The signing was held on 26 August 2026 at the Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, Clark Freeport Zone, Philippines, during the second day of SLU’s Annual Management Review.
The event opened with the Town and Gown Program Presentation by CDC Manager for Human Resources Division Rachelle S. Yusi, PhD. CDC’s Town and Gown Program, which starts with internship accommodation, is a whole-of-government collaboration that creates pathways for future professionals by immersing them in real industry environments, strengthening the link between higher education with the needs of modern industry. According to Dr. Yusi, the ‘gown’ represents the academic community while the ‘town’ refers to the wider community– bringing the communities closer together.
Since its launch in 2024, CDC’s Town and Gown program has already facilitated the internship of over 600 students from 28 academic partner-institutions. SLU is the 29th partner-institution of CDC– even opening the link to Northern Luzon.
CDC Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group Atty. Noelle Mina D. Meneses then gave her welcome remarks. Pointing out that there are a number of Louisians already working at CDC, she said, “The signing of this MOA … is a little more like welcoming our alma mater into our workplace… the Louisians you see here today are already proof that SLU has been contributing to Clark long before this MOA was ever signed.”
SLU President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, delivered a message, underscoring the importance of the academe’s active engagement with the industrial sector. “For education to be truly transformative, learning must go beyond textbooks and manuals. It must come alive through real-world experiences to apply knowledge to actual needs and challenges. It must go beyond the four corners of our classrooms to allow our learners to engage with the workplace, the community, and the larger world. Most importantly, it must go beyond the self in order to cultivate responsibility, empathy, and a genuine concern for others. It is in this spirit that we celebrate the partnership we are about to formalize with Clark Development Corporation,” he said.
Fr. Sales added, “It is especially significant that we are marking this partnership during this year’s Annual Management Review, a vital activity that provides the University an opportunity to pause, reflect on our accomplishments, identify areas for improvement, and reaffirm our direction. Today’s MOA signing makes this year’s Review even more impactful because it demonstrates that reflection must lead to action.” The University President then hinted at the possibility of establishing SLU campus in Clark.
In response, drawing from her experience as part of the ICM mission, Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, CDC President and Chief Executive Officer mentioned that she worked closely with CICM Fathers and missionaries. “I may not be a Louisian but I was very much part of the ICM mission… and my heart is full with the CICM values,” she remarked.
Atty. Venadera then talked of the rationale behind the “Town and Gown”, which is CDC’s investment in human capital, citing that, “No matter how much infrastructure you put… investors will never be able to sustain their businesses if we do not have the capable manpower (with not only skills, but also values). Thus, she said, the Corporation very much welcomes the idea of putting up SLU in Clark.
Signifying their commitment to collaborate, the ceremonial signing of the MOA commenced with Fr. Sales and Atty. Devanadera affixing their signatures, witnessed by representatives from the SLU and CDC management including SLU’s Vice President for Administration Atty. Shellah Yzanne P. Merced, Vice President for Finance Roberto M. Arguelles, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs Felina P. Espique, PhD, and Vice President for Mission and Identity Rev. Fr. Emery Mwako Ebumea, CICM; and CDC’s Vice President for Administration and Finance Group, Jose Miguel R. Dela Rosa and Atty. Meneses.
In closing, tokens were exchanged as a gesture of partnership and camaraderie.
By strengthening the link between education and industry, SLU paved the way for sustainable careers and professional growth, solidifying its unwavering dedication to building a brighter future for Louisians and Filipinos as a whole.
The partnership affirmed the CICM Advocacy of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 10), Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17).
