On January 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC) officially launched its practicum program with a comprehensive virtual orientation for its first batch of student interns. Conducted via Zoom, the session served as the formal introduction for the students beginning their professional journey with the consortium.

The orientation was attended by the following DLSU Medical Biology students interns: Beatriz Aguiluz, Tanya Alivio, Phoebe Bajenting, Roy Belarmino, Bianca Callanta, Aljon Gonzales, Francinne Labrica, Brian Martin.

The session was facilitated by the MMHRDC Secretariat team, who provided a detailed roadmap of what the interns can expect during their stay. The orientation began with an overview of the identity and mission of MMHRDC, emphasizing its role as a key driver in health research and development within the region. The team explained the consortium’s operational framework, giving the students a clearer understanding of how a large-scale research organization functions on a daily basis.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the consortium’s extensive network. The Secretariat introduced the various partner organizations that collaborate with MMHRDC, highlighting the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in advancing medical and health sciences.

To ensure a hands-on learning experience, the Secretariat team also detailed the different committees within the consortium that interns can join. The students were briefed on the specific functions of each committee, allowing them to identify which areas, such as ethics, capacity building, or research utilization, best align with their skills and career interests.

This immersive approach directly aligns with the MMHRDC’s goal of leading interns along a clear path to professional experience. By integrating students into active committees, the consortium serves as a guide, allowing them to truly experience the essence of what MMHRDC is and how it functions as a pillar of the research community. This ensures that the practicum is not merely an academic requirement, but a guided journey into the reality of health research management.