WiSAP launches mentorship program at Asia Pacific College to nurture future tech leaders

• IN PHOTO: Officials from the Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), along with professors and students from the Asia Pacific College (APC), during the launch of the WiSAP Youth Mentorship Program held at APC in Makati City.

By San Matildo

The Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), in partnership with Asia Pacific College (APC), has launched the WiSAP Youth Mentorship Program, an initiative designed to prepare students for real-world careers in technology, business, and risk management.

The program connects graduating students with industry professionals in a six-month structured mentorship, reinforcing WiSAP’s commitment to building the next generation of digital risk champions.

WiSAP Chair and President Mel Migriño emphasized the value of mentorship in developing responsible tech leaders.

“Technical skills alone are no longer enough,” she said. “We need professionals who can navigate the complexities of emerging technologies with compassion, resilience, and a strong ethical foundation. That’s what we’re cultivating through this program.”

Throughout the six-month engagement, mentees will receive personalized guidance on career growth, attend webinars, build professional networks, and participate in sessions aimed at strengthening both technical and soft skills.

The program structure includes orientation, trust-building, skill development, and a final phase of reflection and evaluation.

“This is a deeply personal program,” Migriño added. “We are creating safe and supportive spaces where students can ask questions, build confidence, and be guided by people who’ve walked the path before them. It’s a space where we build not just careers, but character.”

Migriño also pointed out the broader impact of the WiSAP Youth initiative. “We’re not just learning how to build systems or write code.

We’re being trained to think critically about scams, digital ethics, and national digital security. That’s a responsibility we take seriously.”

The WiSAP Youth program also includes educational modules on enterprise fraud, scam prevention, IT risk assessment, and responsible tech use, along with access to digital tools like Whoscall — a mobile app that helps detect and block scam calls and messages.

Students will also receive career support through job referrals and internship opportunities facilitated by WiSAP and its partner, the Philippines Chief Information Officer Association (PCIOA).

Leonard Lacuna, WiSAP Youth Leader and one of the key voices driving the initiative, highlighted the program’s role in closing the gap between academic theory and industry practice.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty that comes with stepping out of college,” Lacuna said. “This mentorship helps us understand the real landscape — the risks, the opportunities, the standards — and how we can bring value not just as new hires, but as changemakers.”

WiSAP Youth is positioning itself not just as a tech mentorship platform but as a national youth movement against cybercrime and digital threats.

“Our digital future depends on how well we equip the youth today,” said Migriño. “Through this program, we’re not just preparing them for jobs — we’re preparing them for leadership.”