MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Last October 14, 2023, the Philippine Development S&T Foundation, Inc. (PhilDev Foundation), along with its new partner FactSet, held a successful onboarding session for the Young Banatao Learning Lab (YBLL) with selected PhilDev scholars. This collaboration with FactSet, emphasizing Technology and Sciences, is pivotal in steering YBLL’s direction towards a shared vision that aims to address the prevalent skills gap and foster a culture of technopreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“We understand that not everybody can be technopreneurs immediately. Even Dado Banatao worked for several years before he became a successful technopreneur. Essentially, that’s what we want YBLL participants to emulate. We want to replicate Dado’s story of success – from learning, to employment and intrapreneurship, to a future successful technopreneur.,” stated by Mr. Vince Manglicmot, a Senior Program Officer for PhilDev Foundation and Youth Education Lead for YBLL.
YBLL is inspired by the legacy of Dado Banatao, a renowned Filipino engineer and entrepreneur and PhilDev’s Founder, the program aims to empower the next generation of tech leaders and innovators.
FactSet is supporting the Young Banatao Learning Lab as part of its Corporate Responsibility work to Inspire Tomorrow’s Engineers. This work helps young people from underserved communities to enter the technology industry.
“We are excited to partner with PhilDev to empower these talented young people,” said Claudine David, Senior Managing Director at FactSet. “At FactSet, we know that good ideas can come from anyone at any time. FactSetters seek to be future-focused, always-inclusive, tenacious, client-centric, and solutions-driven. We see many connections between how we work and how PhilDev is helping to shape the next generation of engineering leaders. We are excited to see the students’ journeys unfold and proud to support them.”
When asked regarding the decision to pilot this program with selected PhilDev scholars, Ms. Zen Dimalanta, Program Director for PhilDev Foundation and Youth Engagement Lead for YBLL, had this to say, “selecting Phildev Scholars as the inaugural beneficiaries of the YBLL is a strategic and commendable choice. YBLL is dedicated to bridging the gap between college education and the dynamic needs of the industry, and PhilDev Scholars, renowned for their exceptional academic achievements and demonstrated leadership capabilities, are an ideal group to partake in the technopreneurship and workforce development workshops. The initiative ensures that these bright minds receive guidance to enhance their readiness for employment and entrepreneurial endeavors.”
YBLL, through its six-month capacity-building journey, seeks to address the disconnect between tertiary education and real-world industry demands. It’s a comprehensive program designed to:
- Identify current in-demand skills in the industry;
- Capacitate the youth in workforce development by developing their tech and innovation skills; and,
- Enhance the youth’s technopreneurial mindset to boost innovative thinking & problem solving.
“We have several programs championing technopreneurship and startup incubation, but why are there only a few pursuing technopreneurship practice? That’s the gap that the YBLL program hopes to bridge. We hope we can create an environment – essentially a learning lab where students and young professionals can gain a deeper appreciation of technopreneurship, while also gaining more workforce skills to help them to be more employable and innovative.,” said Mr. Manglicmot when asked about the reason why they decided to develop YBLL as a program for young technopreneurs.
FactSet’s collaboration ensures that the pioneering YBLL initiative remains at the forefront, with the program’s content remaining relevant, up-to-date, and aligned with the current industry demands.
Program Highlights:
- Technopreneurship and Tech Workforce Development Workshop Series: Over 12 intensive workshops, scholars will immerse themselves in both technopreneurship principles inspired by Dado Banatao’s Success Factors and in-demand tech skills required by the industry.
- Youth Engagement and Mentoring: Comprising regular check-ins, youth networking activities, online mentorship sessions, and a unique online leadership camp, this component focuses on nurturing soft skills, leadership abilities, and continuous expert guidance.
- Ideathon:As a grand finale, scholars will partake in a 3-day in-person Ideathon, pitching tech prototypes to a panel of judges. The event promises enticing cash prizes, with winners securing up to 20,000 Php.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Adopting the principles of the Results-Based Management (RBM) System, YBLL will conduct rigorous monitoring activities, including pre-and post-workshop surveys and the Most Significant Change interviews.
Ms. Elaine Morales, Executive Director for PhilDev S&T Foundation, highlights that “PhilDev and FactSet have invited esteemed experts to teach you through a series of workshops and activities. You will learn more about technopreneurship, innovation, and also in demand tech-workforce skills. Supplementing these lessons, you will also meet your mentors. We hope you make the most out of these sessions to seek advice from them. I urge you to ask as many questions, and forge lasting relationships with your mentors. At the end of the program will also be an Ideathon, where you will get an opportunity to create, and present an innovative idea into a lo-fi prototype. Overall, YBLL has a lot to offer and we hope you learn, enjoy, and make the most out of this journey.”
While initially targeting 25 scholars, the program was able to onboard 29 PhilDev scholars from IT and computer science disciplines, representing a diverse range of regions across the Philippines.
For more details, press inquiries, or partnership opportunities, please contact Vince Manglicmot via email (vince@phildev.org).
About PhilDev Foundation:
Philippine Development S&T Foundation, Inc. (PhilDev Foundation) is a nonprofit organization that operates at the intersection of Education, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. With a vision of a prosperous Philippines through the acceleration of science and technology for national development, PhilDev aspires to drive sustainable social and economic growth by empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators. Learn more about PhilDev through www.phildev.org or reach out to them through info@phildev.org.
