DOrSU Sends Off Second Batch of Malaysia-bound HM Interns
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) held a Departure Orientation and Send-Off Ceremony on Monday, September 29, at the DOrSU Hotel for its latest batch of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) students bound for internships in Malaysia.
The gathering brought together student-interns, parents and guardians, faculty members, and key university officials for a formal send-off that underscored DOrSU’s commitment to meaningful global immersion. Seven interns are set for practicum placements at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel in Selangor and Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral in Kuala Lumpur from September 30, 2025 to March 28, 2026.
In his welcome remarks, BSHM Program Head Mr. Renante M. Andrada highlighted the positive outcomes from DOrSU’s pioneering international internship earlier this year and rallied support for the new cohort.
Dr. Lilibeth S. Galvez, Director of the Global Affairs and International Relations Office (GAIRO), encouraged the interns to treat the experience not just as an internship but as a transformative journey—urging them to be a sponge and absorb new skills and cultures, embrace the unfamiliar with curiosity, build meaningful relationships, and take initiative as they immerse themselves in Malaysia.
University President Dr. Roy G. Ponce also addressed the students, assuring them of the administration’s full support as they embark on their overseas engagement, thanking GAIRO and the HM faculty for facilitating the partnership and guiding compliance with all internship requirements. He also expressed appreciation to parents and guardians for their steadfast support. Dr. Ponce stressed that this internship program advances DOrSU’s continuing thrust in internationalization and aligns with the University’s GROWTH framework and Regenerative Futures Vision 2035.
BSHM faculty member Norenne R. Maybano led the comprehensive orientation on internship guidelines and departure procedures, walking students and parents through documentation, workplace expectations, and support mechanisms. An open forum followed, providing a venue to address clarifications and concerns prior to departure.
This deployment marks DOrSU’s second batch of international internship placements in Malaysia. In January 2025, the University sent off 39 BSHM students for its first-ever overseas internship—an institutional milestone that paved the way for sustained outbound student mobility and strengthened industry linkages.
By expanding partnerships with reputable hospitality brands abroad, DOrSU continues to build global pathways for its students, preparing graduates who are industry-ready, culturally agile, and competitive in the international hospitality sector. Other academic programs are likewise working with GAIRO to explore similar overseas internship opportunities, with more placements expected as DOrSU broadens its international network.
