STI, Tan Caktiong, Sia set up Batangas agri school

STI Education Services Group, Inc. (STI ESG) has broken ground for the construction of the first phase of the STI Academic Center and CityMall in Tanauan, Batangas.

The groundbreaking also marked the signing of a joint venture agreement among STI, and the families of Jollibee Foods Corporation Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, DoubleDragon Properties Corporation and CityMall Commercial Centers, Inc. Chairman Edgar “Injap” Sia II for the establishment of the agricultural school and commercial complex.

Designed to accommodate 5,400 senior high school and college students next school year, the academic center will stand on a 35,114 square-meter property at Soledad Park Subdivision, Barangay Darasa, Tanauan, Batangas.

Meanwhile, the CityMall will house affiliated brands such as Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Highlands Coffee, SM Savemore, Watsons Pharmacy, Ace Hardware, SM Simply Shoes, BDO, ChinaBank Savings, and SM Appliance. The property is located in the main commercial area of Tanauan, Batangas.

Three months ago, STI and Tan Caktiong signed a Memorandum of Understanding in an effort to boost agricultural education in the country through a farm-to-table school that will offer agricultural courses including managing quick-service and gourmet restaurants.

"My experience in JFC has given me unique perspectives on the challenges and importance of having a consistent and reliable supply of high-quality agricultural products," Tan Caktiong said.

He added that, “I am excited with this collaboration as it will help to uplift the agricultural and related sectors through education, another potential means for us to contribute to nation-building.”

Despite a predominantly agriculture-based economy, it is ironic that agriculture as a profession has lost its appeal to the youth due to perceptions of agriculture as a less prestigious and profitable profession.

Tanco recognized these challenges and said that it is crucial to devise an up-to-date curriculum and amplify the domain of agriculture in preparation for the ASEAN integration, where production and trade will be borderless.

“It is imperative for both students and educators to cover the entire agribusiness commodity system and employ innovative approach and technology to be at par with the global standards in agricultural education,” he added. (JAL)