The UP Resilience Institute successfully concluded Batch 1 of its 2026 Internship Program through a closing program conducted via Zoom on 19 June 2026. This marks the end of the interns’ month-long engagement with the Institute during Midyear 2026.
The program officially opened on 25 May 2026, welcoming 31 interns selected from a total of 70 applicants for Batch 1. UPRI accepts two types of interns: required interns, who undertake the internship as part of their academic coursework or degree requirements, and voluntary interns, who apply on their own initiative to gain practical experience outside of a required academic program. Among the applications received, voluntary internships comprised the largest share, highlighting the strong motivation of applicants to gain meaningful experience and contribute to the work of the Institute.
Batch 1 interns came from various higher education institutions, namely UP Diliman, UP Los Baños, UP Manila, UP Tacloban, Ateneo de Manila University, Caraga State University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and Mapúa University Makati. Their diverse academic backgrounds enriched the internship experience and contributed to the interdisciplinary nature of UPRI’s work.
Throughout the internship period, the interns were deployed across various UPRI divisions and offices, including the Education Division, Institution Building Division, Research and Creative Work Division, and UP NOAH Center components such as UP NOAH – WebGIS, UP NOAH – Hazard Assessment Team, and UP NOAH – Planning. In their respective assignments, the interns supported ongoing programs, research activities, administrative work, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and other institutional activities. These experiences allowed them to gain practical skills while contributing to UPRI’s mandate of advancing resilience through science, education, public service, and collaboration.
As part of the internship program, the Batch 1 interns also participated in the Interns Kumustahan and Interns Night held on 5 June 2026. The Interns Kumustahan served as a mid-point check-in session designed to engage, motivate, and support the interns. It provided a space for them to share their experiences, challenges, and learnings, while fostering a sense of community and collaboration during the Internship program.
Following the Kumustahan, the interns joined Interns Night, a casual social event where they were able to connect with their co-interns from other divisions, enjoy dinner, participate in games, and win prizes. The activity provided an opportunity for the interns to build camaraderie beyond their assigned offices and divisions.
The closing program provided an opportunity for the interns to reflect on their experiences, share their outputs, and present the lessons they gained during their time with the Institute. Through their presentations, the interns highlighted not only the technical skills and knowledge they developed, but also the importance of teamwork, communication, adaptability, and service-oriented work in the field of resilience.
Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director of the UP Resilience Institute, also expressed his appreciation to the 2026 Batch 1 interns for their dedication, enthusiasm, and valuable contributions to the Institute’s work during his closing remarks. The successful completion of Batch 1 affirms the continued relevance of the UPRI Internship Program as a platform for capacity building, professional development, and youth engagement in resilience-building efforts.
As the Institute continues to engage with students from different academic institutions and disciplines, the UPRI Internship Program remains committed to providing meaningful learning opportunities that inspire students to take part in building safer, more prepared, and more resilient communities.