UnionBank inks student programme with Singapore Management University

SMU students will help participate in banking and fintech projects of Union Bank.

UnionBank of the Philippines  has inked an agreement with the Singapore Management University (SMU) that will see SMU students help in the development of emerging technologies with UnionBank, an announcement revealed.

Under the partnership, up to 10 pre-screened SMU students with mixed expertise will be exposed to various projects of UnionBank for 12 weeks.

The students are participants of Singapore Management University's Global Innovation Immersion (GII) program - a talent development program seeking to imbue and enhance the entrepreneurial and global mindset of its most outstanding students. Students will be interning in startups, venture funds, corporates & non-government organizations in selected key markets.

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.

The partnership is in line with the bank’s Student Mentoring Program, which offers opportunity for students to work with the bank’s professionals, gain experience in a corporate and fintech setting, as well as take part in the bank;s financial technology projects, said Michelle Rubio, UnionBank Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer.

Rubio added that they are looking at strengthening linkages with more schools and universities in the ASEAN region.

In 2018, UnionBank launched its own blockchain Institute, Data Science Institute and Blockchain Xcellerator programs to help build a pool of tech talents in the Philippines.