Government, Civil Society Leaders Talk Genuine Social Change

Leadership development practitioners from all over the country gathered at AIM’s Fuller Hall on July 27-28, 2010 to discuss effective leadership strategies that can lead to social change for the Philippines. One of the lead organizers was AIM’s TeaM Energy Center for Bridging Societal Divides. The conference was entitled “Leadership Development for Social Change: Building a Community of Practice.” In line with the growing need for the Philippines to go beyond traditional leadership and meet its Millennium Development Goals, a number of institutions tackled a variety of ways to address societal problems through creating leadership development interventions.

The Conference brought together leadership development providers and their respective target sectors to map out leadership development initiatives in the country. Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their own interventions and to dialogue with other practitioners in the field. They explored various leadership development approaches and practices, issues facing them, and questions arising from their work. The Conference identified directions for pursuing a Community of Practice.

Presentations were made by Manila Water, TeaM Energy, AIM TeaM Energy Center, Ateneo School of Government, Galing Pook Foundation, Ayala Young Leaders Congress, Peace and Equity Foundation, National Youth Commission, Philippine Community Organizers Society, and the NCPAG Muslim Youth Leadership Program.

Blood Compact 2010

By Anton Estrada, MBA 2010, Cohort 4

The Students Association, headed by Anton Jose A. Estrada (Vice Chair-MBA Cohort 4), and the AIM - Philanthropic Activities Society (PACTS), invite everyone to the annual "Blood Compact 2010: Blood Drive and Rock Concert" on July 31, 2010, 6:00pm- 9:00pm, at AIM Building.

The Blood Drive will be handled by the Red Cross and the Department of Health. The blood donation will start from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the SGV rooms 1 and 2.

On the night of the event, there will be a rock concert that will start from 6:00pm. The students will feature a new band called Generation,which will be performed by Mr. Joe Chan from the Executive MBA Program.

A minimum fee of Php 30.00/ head will be collected from this activity. The proceeds will be used for PACTS Programs.

For more inquiries, email Anton Jose A. Estrada at aestrada.mba2009_b4@student.aim.edu

Lopezes Reaffirm Support to AIM

by Nonette Climaco

In his first ever State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 26, 2010, Philippine President Noynoy Aquino mentioned his administration’s commitment to fast-track infrastructure projects. In the same afternoon of the SONA, AIM President Edilberto de Jesus told the crowd gathered at the campus’ Meralco Caseroom that a smaller scale infrastructure project is likewise materializing soon in AIM, thanks to the generosity of the Lopez Group Foundation. Signed during the event at AIM was a P25 million Deed of Donation that will enable AIM to renovate the Makati campus’ ground floor that houses the main lobby, four caserooms, and the offices of admissions and alumni relations.

This donation supplements the P7.4 million that the Lopezes initially gave AIM in 1969 (through the Eugenio Lopez Foundation) to construct the main building and dormitory. At that time, it was the single biggest donation made by private business to an educational institution. “Through its support to AIM, the Foundation extends its vision to the future by making possible educational opportunities from which it is hoped will come tomorrow’s professional managers dedicated to building a more productive society” -- thus was written in the Eugenio Lopez Foundation’s dedication document in 1969.

Addressing the crowd that witnessed the signing of the P25-million Deed of Donation, Oscar M. Lopez, Chairman of the Lopez Group Foundation Inc, rededicated themselves to the ideals that led his father, Don Eugenio Lopez, to support AIM’s establishment. He said that being deeply committed to education, his father saw that the idea of setting up an academic institution with similar standards and methods as that of Harvard University – where his father took up Masters in Law – “was a good way of providing his most lasting legacy to the Philippines and Asia.”

In closing, Oscar Lopez expressed hopes that AIM will “learn to compete as vigorously as it has trained its alumni to compete,” and called on the alumni who benefited from an AIM education to give back to the institution. He likewise cited AIM President de Jesus for “his sincerity and passion to bring AIM back to its enviable position in both the regional and global status as a leader in education.”

The renovation project is expected to commence at the latter part of the year.

AIM Reports on Philippine Cities' Competitiveness

AIM Policy Center (APC), the public policy think tank of AIM, presented to the public on 19 July 2010 results of its study on Philippine Cities Competitiveness Report Project (PCCRP) 2009. With the theme “Cities and Citizens: Empowerment Towards Growth” the forum at SMX, Pasay City was attended by business executives, academicians, and national and local government officials. The latter group, in particular, was eager to know how their cities fared in the competitiveness study.

APC Executive Director Atty. Ma. Lourdes Sereno explained that cities naturally have to compete for markets, goods, investments, technology, and other resources, amidst inherent problems and constraints like inadequate budgets and infrastructure, big population, geographical limitations, and others. It is possible to measure signs of the ability to compete and surmount problems and constraints. Using several measures including those developed by the International Institute for Management and Development (IMD), Porter’s Diamond Model of National Competitiveness, and APC’s own Analytical Framework of Competitiveness, APC’s study evaluated most Philippine cities. Cebu City figured in all the award categories that included the Best Compliance with Government-Mandated Plans, Entrepreneurs’ Award for Most Supportive to MSMEs, Entrepreneurs’ Award for Most Honest and Transparent Cities, Dynamism of Local Economy, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life.

- Nonette Climaco

AIM Reports on Philippine Competitiveness

by Nonette Climaco

Atty. Maria Lourdes Sereno (Executive Director, AIM Policy Center, the public policy think tank of AIM) disclosed in a July 16 forum that the Philippines improved its overall ranking among 58 countries in 2010 to No. 39. The country ranked No. 43 in 2009 among 57 countries. However, she called the attention of government, emphasizing that much has to be done to deliver the country from the third and fourth quartile of the rankings where it has been since 1997 – when the Policy Center became the Partner Institute of the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). Based in Switzerland, IMD has been producing the World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) since 1989. The WCY measures and ranks the ability of economies to create and maintain an environment conducive to sustaining market competitiveness. Over the years, it has been a key reference for investors, analysts, and decision makers in assessing county performance vis-à-vis other economies across the globe.

Student Participation in Placement Activities

By Khairy Alonto

For the past few months, AIM's Washington SyCip Graduate School of Business (WSGSB) MBA students have been very active in inviting companies for recruitment activities. Through email blasts and phone calls (and even personal visits sanctioned and funded by CMS during their Action Consultancy period abroad), the students have reached out to alumni and corporate recruiters around the world.

Under my direction as Career Management Services (CMS) Manager, and with the guidance of IMRM Executive Managing Director, Prof. Eligio Santos, student volunteers were able to convince two global companies to conduct interviews through videoconferencing. Resulting from efforts of the students, specifically Ishani Singh (Cohort 5), KPMG found two students from her own cohort fit for their company. KPMG was also the first to offer placement this year. On the other hand, Google India -- dubbed as "one of the best companies to work for" -- is in the process of interviewing students for its various requirements. Neevash Khanna (Cohort 5), is the student volunteer for Google India. Ishani and Neevash coordinated very closely with me and CMS Associate, Mara Gonzales, to have the students prescreened and interviewed.

The rest of the student volunteers are likewise steadily bringing in more companies for campus recruitment. With the strong support of the AIM Student Council lead by Chairman Chaitanya Boddupalli and Vice-Chairman Anton Estrada, both of Cohort 4, I anticipate that the processes we at CMS are implementing for the creation of an AIM Student Placement Club will be carried on for the future cohorts of the AIM WSGSB MBA program. As an alumnus of AIM and being a former member of the 2009 Cohort 3 Student Placement Council, it is rewarding to see the passion and efforts the 2010 MBA cohorts have shown in taking the cudgels to promote the quality of AIM education and the brand in whole.

Networking Lunch for MDM Students

Two weeks before the current students of AIM Master in Development Management (MDM) receive their degrees on July 30, graduation day, they already interacted with prospective employers.  Over lunch in the campus organized by the Center for Development Management (CDM) and International Marketing and Relationship Management (IMRM) on July 19, 2010, representatives from six international organizations had the chance to know more about the students – how AIM educated them and what they can offer to organizations they eventually join.

In emphasizing the uniqueness of the MDM program, CDM Associate Dean Mike Luz told guests that the program trained students on effective delivery of programs and projects, which is critical especially in development work.  He also explained that the lunch event is a novel CDM undertaking, in its objective of exposing students to more career opportunities.  While the concept of placement has been an intrinsic component of AIM’s Graduate School of Business, placement is now being introduced in CDM, following students’ request for this activity.  Dean Luz mentioned that around 20% of this batch are “career shifters” who are open to opportunities apart from their previous fields and employers.  Networking with people in the development community, through events like this, is always good for contacts. 

Class Vice President Rhodora Babaran described her class of 43 members as a highly diversified group, coming from 15 countries, different professional backgrounds, and age groups.  This diversity made the 11-month learning process truly enriching and sharpened their skills in dealing with different people – a skill required in the real world. 

The students look forward to working for, or using them as channels to other organizations, any of the six organizations that joined the July 19 networking lunch – Cities Development in Asia, Devex, Grameen Foundation, GTZ, International Committee of the Red Cross, and World Health Organization.

- Nonette Climaco