MABALACAT CITY — The Mabalacat City College inaugurated its Lifelong Learning Center, MCC Idea Hub, and MCC Gymnasium on May 22 here.
Leading the inauguration were Commission on Higher Education chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III, Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, and MCC president Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong.
The MCC Lifelong Learning Center, located in Barangay Sapang Biabas, aims to provide educational opportunities beyond traditional degrees.
“Compared to different colleges and universities that focus on bachelor’s degrees, MCC Lifelong Learning Center encompasses all facets or periods of life, different stages of life, and caters to different sectors of the community. It proves that learning has no boundaries,” said Raymond John Vergara, MCC VP for global relations opportunities and workforce development.
In addition to degree programs, the Lifelong Learning Center offers a diverse range of programs, including short-term courses, corporate courses, life-skill courses, hard-skill courses, and literacy programs. The center also features a manufacturing center for “Balacat Tea,” an innovation developed by MCC students and faculty.
During the inauguration, MCC celebrated the completion ceremony for the first graduates of the Contract Education System. Eleven students received their certificates of completion for the MCCxVXI Certificate Course on Contact Services. This program, a collaboration with VXI Global Solutions, provides immediate employment opportunities for successful learners.
The Lifelong Learning Center also includes sewing facilities that provide training opportunities for non-high school graduates. MCC plans to launch a certificate program in partnership with Luenthai, a garment manufacturing industry in Clark, offering learners assessments and employment prospects after a month of training.
In addition to the Lifelong Learning Center, MCC also unveiled the MCC Gymnasium, which will serve as the home for the MCC Sports Team, the Crimson Tribes. The gymnasium features a professional-grade basketball court suitable for volleyball and badminton.
Also inaugurated was the i-Lab, equipped with the latest Macintosh technology. The i-Lab, made possible by a grant from CHED, aims to facilitate collaboration between MCC, other CHED beneficiaries, and international colleges and universities for Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives. The i-Lab will enhance educational experiences, research, and training, as well as support the production of contemporary educational materials.
The MCC’s commitment to providing inclusive and diverse learning opportunities was emphasized throughout the event. Learning is not limited to degrees, and MCC’s Lifelong Learning Center demonstrates the institution’s dedication to expanding educational access. Through these initiatives, MCC aims to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds to explore and acquire new knowledge and skills.
