JGSOM pioneers National Conference on Entrepreneurship Education
The John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) sets another trend by single-handedly organizing the highly successful 1st National Conference on Entrepreneurship Education last July 18 and 19. The conference, with the theme Getting Down to Business: Creating a Culture of Entrepreneurship on Campus, featured prolific personalities from the academe and business sector here and abroad, and was well – attended by deans and faculty members of prestigious universities from all over the country.
Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, President – Ateneo de Manila University, and Mr. Rudy P. Ang, Dean – JGSOM, welcomed the delegates, while Mr. Joey Concepcion, Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship delivered the keynote address. Mr. Concepcion is the President and CEO of RFM Corporation, Philippine Townships, Inc., RFM Equities, RFM Insurance Brokers, Inc., and Rizal Lighterage Corparation. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors – Unilever RFM Ice Cream, Inc.
A total of four sessions led by luminaries from the academe and business sector were conducted during the two-day conference. An open forum wherein panelists shared their insights and best practices followed each session. To foster camaraderie and establish connections among delegates, a Fellowship Dinner was held on the first day while a Lunch Roundtable, participated in by Deans and the panelists, was held on both days.
In line with the theme on creating a culture of entrepreneurship on campus, Session I focused on Designing an Effective Curriculum for Entrepreneurship Education. The panelists included Professor Saras D. Saravathy, Associate Professor – The Darden School, University of Virginia; Professor Alejandrino Ferreria, Professor – Asian Institute of Management; Professor Eduardo Morato, Jr., Professor – Asian Institute of Management; and Mr. Rudy P. Ang, Dean – JGSOM.
Meanwhile, to foster entrepreneurial spirit among students, Session II centered on Business Incubators as a Learning Laboratory. The panelists included Mr. Paul Ambas, former Director – JGSOM Business Accelerator; Mr. Hui Kwok Leong, Head – Business Incubation, National University of Singapore Venture Support; Mr. Augusto Gonzales, Vice President – Pacific North Star Company; Mr. Jason Tan, President – Tropical Kiss, Inc.; and Dr. Teresita C. Fortuna, Regional Director – DOST NCR: DOST-SET UP DATBED Program.
Session III featured Forging Educational Partnerships with Non-Educational Institutions, which highlighted the importance of groups and agencies that can further hone the knack for entrepreneurship initiated by schools among their students. The panelists were Mr. Jerry Clavesillas, Assistant Director, BSMED, DTI; Mr. Nilo S. Cruz, President – Junior Achievers Philippines, Inc.; Ms. Anna Periquet, Chairman – Entrepreneurship Committee of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Mr. Federico Gonzales, Executive Director – Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship; and Mr. Suresh Mirpuri, President – Young Entrepreneurs' Organization.
In addition, a conference on entrepreneurship will not be complete without the presence of luminaries from the industry who shared tips and business secrets to delegates. Session IV's topic was Learning from the Entrepreneurs which featured Mr. Jay Aldeguer, President – Island Souvenirs, Inc.; Mr. Steve Benitez, President and CEO – Bo's Coffee Club; and Mr. Eric Teng, Marketing Director – The 99 Pesos Store.
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