11/04/2026
SMU CE Department commissions new batch of OJT trainees
As the Civil Engineering students embark on their On-the-Job Training journey, the Saint Maryโs University (SMU) CE Department held its 4th Hardhatting and Pinning Ceremony at the Fr. Cornelius Tonus Gymnasium, April 11.
In her opening remarks, Engr. Michelle Kyra Bautista, the Head of the Civil Engineering Department, shared words of wisdom to the students as they prepare for their OJT.
"To our students, as you begin your On-the-Job Training, embrace every opportunity to learn. Be observant, be proactive, and above all, uphold integrity and prioritize safety in everything you do," she stated.
She also expressed her gratitude toward the department's industry partners, the guest speaker, parents, and the faculty members for their unwavering support, guidance, and commitment.
Representing the trainees, Atasha Mia Galap, an OJT student and president of the ACES-JPICE SMU Chapter, shared that the ceremony is not just a tradition, but a reminder of how far they have come.
"Behind every hard hat placed today are stories of sacrificeโlate nights spent finishing plates and solving problems, moments of doubt when we questioned if we were good enough, and days when we felt exhausted but chose to keep going anyway," she said.
"Today, as we wear our hard hats, we do not just prepare ourselves for construction sitesโwe prepare ourselves for a greater purpose," she added.
The ceremony concluded gracefully as the students put on their hard hats and pins with unconcealable smiles, they celebrated this milestone alongside their families, guardians, and friends.
Here's the google drive link for the photos:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xftZOOKp3Uc0xMYDAxarUUALpvr0pGG0?usp=drive_link
Photos by Zeus Clark Madriaga and Lorraine Sofia Bunagan
