UP Manila, Manila Hearing Aid Sign Practicum Agreement

October 16, 2026

Text by Jerico Tapia
Photos by Jericho Paolo Mabansag

The University of the Philippines Manila and Manila Hearing Aid Center (MHA) signed an agreement on Oct. 9, 2026, to strengthen healthcare training for Master in Clinical Audiology students, with MHA clinics serving as external practicum sites. In this photo are (from left) Chancellor Michael L. Tee, Jose Ramon Abano III, MHA vice president, and Dean Esmerita R. Rotor of the College of Allied Medical Professions.

A practicum agreement between UP Manila and MHA was signed on October 9, 2026, at the Board Room of the Henry Sy Sr. Medical Sciences Building at UP Manila.

The agreement formalizes a partnership establishing MHA clinics as external practicum sites for students enrolled in the Master in Clinical Audiology Program. Implemented through the UP Manila National Governance Center for Health Sciences (NGOHS) together with the College of Medicine (CM) and College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), the structured practicum bridges academic instruction with hands-on clinical exposure in a private setting, requiring a competency-based evaluation following the completion of 300 required hours. Under the agreement, UP Manila will endorse qualified students, assign faculty supervisors, set evaluation standards, and retain sole authority over grading and academic accreditation. In turn, MHA will provide a structured training plan aligned with program goals, assign company supervisors, ensure a safe and learning-oriented environment, and evaluate student performance.

In an exchange of insights, UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tee and MHA Vice President Mr. Jose Ramon Abano III underscored their mutual commitment to elevating audiology standards and bridging classroom learning with clinical practice.

The ceremony was attended by UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tee. Representing CAMP were Dean Prof. Esmerita R. Rotor, Linkages Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Aila Nica J. Bandong, and Master in Clinical Audiology (MClinAud) Coordinator Asst. Prof. Jaymilyn Ombao. Also present from CM is Professor Dr. Mary Ann R. Abacan. Representing MHA were Vice President Mr. Jose Ramon Abano III, Executive Secretary Ms. Kristine Joy Caintoy, and Learning and Development Specialist Joyce Ann Alupay.