Aboitiz, AIM inaugurate ‘classroom of the future’
THE Asian Institute of Management (AIM) recently unveiled the Aboitiz Tech Space, the first and largest “smart” audiovisual caseroom of the school.
AIM’S newest learning environment will immerse future business leaders in technology-powered surroundings to aid their learning, as Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz witnessed its unveiling.
Three years ago the Aboitiz Group, through its social responsibility arm the Aboitiz Foundation, made a $10-million donation to AIM, marked as the “Aboitiz 100th Anniversary Commitment Fund.” It is being used to address the local and regional gaps in data science and innovation. With the funding, AIM’S Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (ASITE) conducts world-class teaching and research, with real-world applications involving data-science professionals and leaders.
A tenth of the historic donation went to building the Aboitiz Tech Space, which was AIM’S flagship project of the year. Half of the donation went to interest-free loans for students.
“One of the tipping points for AIM was when we received a $10 million gift from Aboitiz. It was the single-largest cash donation in the history of Philippine higher education,” shared AIM’S president and dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang. “And so, during the pandemic, we took advantage of the fact that the campus was shut in order to continue this journey of adding new, innovative programs and educating quality students. We could also improve our infrastructure to be able to better support our academic programs, students and faculty.”
The Aboitiz Tech Space features state-of-the-art technology, and has been expertly designed to be the most conducive learning environment for students.
With the institute’s international student base, it is particularly important that the space is suitable for both onsite and online students. Smart cameras track the faculty or speaker as they move around the room, and automatically zoom-in on students who raise hands, ensuring that those joining online do not miss out.
Other features include ceilingmounted microphones and speakers, plus a smartboard that automatically reflects its display on panels that surround the room.
By pushing the boundaries of what a classroom looks and feels like, the Aboitiz Tech Space challenges students to innovate and think differently.
With a trailblazing approach to strategic growth, Aboitiz Group leads the way via its “Great Transformation” to become the Philippines’s first “tech-glomerate.” This means leveraging on technology and a renewed entrepreneurial spirit.
“A most integral part of this transformation is not just opening the minds of our own team members to the fantastic possibilities of innovation, experimentation and next-generation technology trends, but [also providing these possibilities and opportunities for] students here at AIM, to spread this knowledge around for anyone to learn,” said Aboitiz.
He stressed that the group’s Great Transformation is, in part, about providing opportunities through education: “As a tech-glomerate, it is very much our responsibility to drive change for a better world by driving change for a better education. In these halls and classrooms, we hope to live up to that responsibility by harnessing the skills, talent, and knowledge needed to truly transform and advance our society toward the brave new world of the future.”
New crossroads
THE decision to use $5 million of the funding for zero-percent interest loans ensures that it would be sustainable and self-perpetuating, providing educational opportunities to as many talented young people as possible.
Since the donation there have been 67 loan grantees taking a Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS), and 75 students pursuing Master of Science in Innovation and Business at ASITE.
Through the program’s strategic partnerships, students become data-science consultants even while studying, helping organizations innovate through data-science and machine learning. In 2020 the MSDS program generated 15 real-world cases, while partners and stakeholders estimated a total potential revenue of $40 million from these projects. For MSDS Batch 2021, graduates saw an average salary hike of 170 percent.
“On behalf of the Aboitiz Foundation, we are happy to have been able to assist AIM in their efforts to expand their curriculum and facilities toward the direction of a bold future, and the skills and education it will require,” said Aboitiz Equity Ventures Director Erramon Aboitiz. “We celebrate with you all as we mark [these] new crossroads of innovation, technology and education.”
He ended: “[We] look forward to a whole new generation of innovators, data scientists, IT specialists and engineers [who] will be graduating from this school, and leading the way toward great discovery and progress for all.”