Naga City (PIA) – Several Bicol-based graduates of Asian Institute of Management (AIM) gathered at The Avenue Plaza Hotel, here,  Tuesday, October 3  to introduce their recently launched association which pursues relevant collaborations and develop networks for the region.

In the first business and development forum organized by the AIM Alumni Association Bicol chapter in this city, Vice-president Efren Faniel De Leon said they want to “fire start-ups in the region and create initiatives and efforts on various topics and issues that are relevant in the countryside, especially for the upcoming year, 2024.”

De Leon said that the activity, with the theme “Innovation and Inclusivity,” also seeks to produce synergy by mobilizing academe, governance and industry to collaborate and make impact in institutionalizing policies and big changes beginning in Naga City, as most prominent AIM alumni are based here.

For instance, he said alumni association would like to provide avenues of dialogues and forums on how to help the city government provide more jobs for the full operation of the economic development zone in Brgy. Pacol.  

One of the highlights of the said activity was the presence of AIM president, CEO and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang who inspired and enlightened their former students on how to bridge AIM experience and journey for sustainable developments and stronger collaborations  in the Bicol region.

She said, “Sometimes we need to be willing to disrupt how things are done and change the mindset, change the silo mentality and maybe make the people feel uncomfortable about what we do and how we do things.”

Saying this was her small yet significant contribution and strategy to make AIM led graduate schools in the Philippines. This includes innovating pertinent business degrees, development management and disaster risk and crisis management program, as well as data science, among many other expansions.

She said she was delighted to be connected with alumni organizations who believe in the power of innovation, of disruption, and inclusiveness, and bringing business and development together.

National AIM chairman Felix "Boy" Tiukinhoy Jr. was also present during the event.

To represent various sectors for the forum, Reuel Oliver, executive director of the Naga City Investment and Tourism Board, Mario Villanueva, president of Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda, president of the Bicol Association of Private Colleges for government, industry and academe, respectively graced the event. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)