Educators, development leaders, and students came together on July 30, 2025, at Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (MMCM) to talk about how schools can help shape globally competitive business leaders in Mindanao. The roundtable, held in partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), focused on boosting local innovation and supporting small businesses to drive the region’s growth.
With the theme “Think Global, Grow Local: Empowering Tomorrow’s Mindanaoan Business Leaders,” the event tackled the challenges facing local businesses, especially in rural areas. It also emphasized the role of education in bridging gaps through practical training and the adoption of new technologies. MMCM showcased its entrepreneurship curriculum, which focuses on equipping students with skills tailored to the local market.
MMCM faculty member Andrea Bianca C. Gonzales shared how their service-learning initiatives directly connect students with rural MSMEs.
“We have what we call service learning initiatives—these connect our students with MSMEs in rural areas and help them see the real challenges in Mindanao,” she said.
Gonzales also cited how course offerings promote practical innovation. “In our BS Entrepreneurship program, for example, we offer courses like Innovation Management and Technopreneurship. These encourage students to create technologies and products that can benefit rural communities.”
Assistant Secretary and Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro of MinDA discussed how recent infrastructure projects and energy developments are helping make Mindanao more economically competitive. These include the launch of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao and the Mindanao-Visayas power interconnection, both of which have improved energy reliability and expanded the region’s export capacity.
However, Montenegro acknowledged that gaps remain in workforce readiness and market access. He stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among government, academia, industry, and media to sustain long-term regional growth.
MMCM’s Jose Karlo II Caballero, a faculty member of the A.T. Yuchengco College of Business who moderated the discussion, underscored how the ASU partnership gives students a global perspective with real-world applications.
Caballero said that the ASU partnership with Arizona State University gives students exposure to global business practices and challenges. He said this motivates MMCM to guide students in developing and implementing their business plans before graduation. If students see their innovative ideas succeed locally with the school’s support, he added, they’re more likely to stay and grow their businesses in Mindanao.
The discussion highlighted the important role of education in equipping future entrepreneurs to lead industries like agribusiness, digital services, and renewable energy—areas considered crucial to Mindanao’s long-term growth. KBP